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rOUE TEARS IN ASHANTEE

BY THE MISSIONARIES
RAMSEYER AND KttHNE

WITH INTRODUCfnON BT RBV. DR. GUNDBRT, AND PRXFACB BY
PROPESSOR CHRISTLEIB, D.D.

NEW YORK
ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS, 635 BROADWAY.

MDCCOLXXV.

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& COWAN AND CO.,

STRATHMOBE PBINTINa WOBKS,

PERTH.

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CONTENTS.

Preface, ...
Introductory Chapter,

FAOS.
V.

L — Waiting Time in Anum,
IL — The General Flight, -
III. — In the Power of the Ashantees,
IV. — Before Adu Bofo,

V. — ^WlTH THE ASHANTEB ArMY, -

VI. — ^Thb March to the Volta, -
VII — From the Volta to Okwano,

VIIL— J^OURNKY to AgUAGO, AND THE HaLT THERE,

IX.— The Little One goes Home in Totorase, '
X — To DwABEN and Abankoro,
XL — Wrm M. Bonnat in Abankoro,
XIL — ^In Asotscbe, ....
XIIL — Before THE King, -
XTV. — Ebenezer, ....
XV.— In Goomassie with Prince Ansa,
XVI. — Times of Sickness and Forson*s Embassy,
XVIL — The Embassy of Messrs. Grawford and Plange,
XVIII.— Adu Bofo's Entry,
XIX.— Yams and Ghristmas FEsnyALs,

1
4
7
14
18
26
31

117

127

135

146

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iv CONTENTS.

OHAP. PAOB.

XX.-— PaiNCK Ansa^s Transactions about the Ransom

Money, 153

XXL — Prolonged Waiting during a Revolution in the

Colonial Politics, - - - , - - - - 163

XXII.— Mr. Planoe^s Second Embassy, 172

XXIIL— A Critical Time, 183

XXIV. — Seeming Liberty, 189

XXV.— The Reason OF the War, 201

XXVI. — In Coomassie amid the Fluctuations op War, - 207

XXVIL— We Build FOR THE King, 224

XXVIII. — Judgment Approaches, 243

XXIX. — ^Brother Kuhne set at Liberty, - - - - 263

XXX. — ^The Release op the Rest, 275

XXXI.— The JxTDGMENT, - 290

APPENDIX.

L— ThbAdab, 301

IL— The Weights OP Gold IN Ash ANTEB, 303

III.— The Government of Ashantee, 305

IV. — A Letter of Prince Ansa, 312

v.— A Word on the Politics of the Colonial Government in

the Year 1872, , 318

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PREFACE.

From the earliest ages onward, the Christian Church at
large has ever bestowed the warmest sympathy and the
most grateful attention on the history of her martyrs.
And well she may do so, for have they not acted as the
pioneers of Christ's advancing kingdom, presenting in
their example a standing embodiment of the victory of
Christian faith and patience over the world ?

Nor has the Protestant Church, for her part, been
without the witness of numerous martyrs from the era
of her first struggles for existence, down to the history
of her missions in modem times. And though we do
not idolize these martyrs, lest we should detract from
the glory of the only Mediator and incomparable Martyr
of Golgotha; yet we honour their memory, and we
look upon their sufferings and conquests as pledges for
that universal triumph of the gospel, which shall even-
tually be brought about. True, a Church whose founda-
tion was laid by the Crucified, must ever remain a
cross-bearing Church : amidst much of strife and tribula-
tion, under the pressure of constant trial, her members
must grow and increase, till the day arrive when the first
holy cross-bearer, Jesus Christ her Lord and Head, shall ap-
pear in glory and deliver His suffering Bride from all evil.

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vi 'PREFACE.

The following pages tell a wondrous story of Christian
martyrdom, although the story does not end with the
death of the sufferers. Those martyrs who were per-
mitted to seal their testimony for Christ's truth with their
blood, have by no means always suffered more severely
than the Christian witnesses whose experiences are re-
corded here.

We see them enduring a tedious captivity, full of most
cruel privations, in one of the darkest . territories of
heathen superstition, under a sanguinary despotism, the
like of which, even in Africa, exists only in places few
and far between. With the abominations and fiendish
barbarities of such a government daily before their eyes,
their own lives in constant peril, and at the mercy
of a despot who played with the persons of his prisoners
as though tl^ey were puppets — in the midst of constant
fluctuations between fear and hope, the prospect of re-
lease again and again held out, only to be dashed to the
ground — ^till at length their peril reaches its climax, to-
gether with the political jeopardy of their tormentors.

At length the judgment which breaks in upon the tyrant
is the means of restoring them — though weak and ex-
hausted — ^to safety, in answer to the unceasing prayers of
their friends at home. Assuredly this is no easier martyr-
dom than the quicker process of laying down one's life
on the block or at the stake. The fact, moreover, that
these sufferers are still in our midst, only deepens the
sympathy which we feel in the story of their captivity.

But the interest attaching to this simple journal of the
German missionaries is manifold. It excites not only
personal sympathy, such as every Christian owes to the
sufferings of a brother. It awakens not merely the

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PREFACE.

Til

attention of the ethnologist, who will gain from it a
far deeper insight into the political, social, and religious
life of the Ashantee nation than any traveller has hitherto
been able to give — but it must command the interest of
all who desire the extension of 'Christ's kingdom, more
especially of English Christians.

The most recent events in the history of Ashantee are
a tangible confirmation of the repeated experience, that a
kingdom which resists the spread of gospel light, and
refuses to recognise the day of its visitation, is ripening
for internal decay, convulsion, and dissolution. The
latest news (see " The Evangelischer Heidenbote " (Calw),
Dec. 1874),* make it a matter of certainty that the king-
dom of Ashantee is doomed. Kofi Kari-Kari, a weak,
vain, deceitful monarch, is apparently unable to recover
the effect of his defeat. His r61e appears to be well-
nigh finished, his chiefs and allies are leaving him, and
he has already been compelled to admit the independence
of his most powerful vassal, the king of Dwaben.

May we not believe that God has permitted one of the
most powerful kingdoms of Western Africa to be thus ter-
ribly humiliated, in order that a free entrance may be
opened into that land for the Gospel of Peace ? The Un-
broken power of Ashantee has hitherto — with few and
rare exceptions — ^withstood the influence of the gospel,
and would have continued to render the establishment of
new missions fruitless, if not impossible. The yoke of des-
potism is now broken, and the agglomeration of tribes once
held together by superstition and fear, is beginning to be
dissolved into its constituent elements.

The nationalities hitherto enslaved by Ashantee are
seeking a closer alliance with England, and wish to be eul-

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viii PREFACE.

mitted into the protectorate. The south-western boundary
of the Ashantee kingdom is opened, and not' only this but
the tribes there situate (Okwau and Dwaben) have ex-
pressed a wish for missionaries to come to them. Does not
all this reveal the hand of God opening the gates to the
messengers of His kingdom ? Can we imagine a political
situation more favourable to its extension ?

These questions demand an answer from Christians on
both sides of the channel. What better one can be given
by those of England, than the practical conclusion : Now
that the lueapons of our country have pierced the heart of
Ashantee^ and laid Coomassie in ruins, should not the
Christian compassion and the vigorous faith of English-
men seek to raise this unhappy nation from the dust ; not
to new death, hut to true life in the light and liberty of the
gospel ?

Wherefore not ? Germany and Switzerland, through
the instrumentality of their Basel Missionary Society, are
ready to help in a second campaign against Coomassie.
For more than forty years this Society has been working
on the west coast of Africa ; gradually pushing forward
its stations to the boundaries of Ashantee. How consider-
able have been the results already attained, how whole-
some the influence already exercised upon the population,
may be seen from the oflScial recognition of these facts by
Sir John Glover, during the late war. Hence we cannot
doubt that side by side with the English Wesleyans, the
Basel Society is primarily called of God to carry on this
work.

In concert with the liberated captives, the Basel com-
mittee has already drawn up a plan for the advance-
ment of the mission foreposts in a westerly direction, so

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PREFACE. H

as to take possession of the new territory. One of tlie
captives, Mr. Ramsey er, whose health puitiuts him to re-
turn, has offered to found the new miHsi<jn in Ashantee ;
and three Basel missionaries have already precede d, and
are awaiting his arrival at Kyebi (not far from the
frontier), and are meanwhile preparing themselves for
their work. One of the principal keys of the land, viz.,
the language spoken throughout Ashantee (Tsohi) ia
already in the possession of the missionaries, who have
finished and printed (or are now printing), not only a
translation of the Scriptures, but also the uiQ^i necessary
books for schools and churches.

Thus has this new and peaceful campaign against
Ashantee been already inaugurated. Germany is ready
to send into the field the needful, well-qualified ,'^Dldiers,
in the shape of thoroughly educated, persevering, hard-
working, frugal missionaries — some of whom have, as
we have said, been already dispatched. The indispens*
able fund for carrying on this holy war amounts to
£7,000 for starting, and £700 annually for supporting
the new stations. Is it asking too much if we look
for assistance in raising these sums to En^^lish liberalifcy ?
Assuredly it must be of the greatest importance for the
English protectorate in West Africa — even from a merely
political point of view — to change the kingdom of
Ashantee from a wily and cruel enemy, into a peac-eful
and civilised neighbour.

The Committee of the Basel Missionary Society has
already issued an appeal to the Christians of England,
which has been supported with large-heaiied generosity
and true Christian charity by the Church Missionary
Society — ^a body which has always shown the utmost r©-

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X PREFACE.

gaxd for the moral rights of other societies, and in this case
too has abstained from the least appearance of an attempt
to take possession of territory which has been already-
occupied by the English Wesleyan and Basel Societies.

May this noble example be followed by Christians
throughout England, and may they show by the warm sup-
port accorded to this new mission (which many of them feel
to be a national duty), that they attach far more importance
to the extension of Christ's kingdom than to the spread of
any one denomination. May the following pages sound,
in their artless but touching tale, the voice of the Lord,
knocking at the heart's door of Christian England, and
asking help for benighted Ashantee. If there be any one
who can read a journal such as this, without becoming a
friend and supporter of missions to the heathen, let him
earnestly ask himself the question whether one who has
no compassion for the sufferings of a Christless humanity,
can have any true love to the Lord whom these sufferings
brought down to take our flesh.

" Behold I have set before thee an open door, and no
man can shut it " (Rev. iii. 8). Let us not be blind to the
truth in the present case. Inwards, beyond Ashantee,
and indeed partly in Ashantee itself, the false prophet is at
work, and more of the tribes of inner Africa are constantly
being subdued to his creed. Tl^is open door may soon be
closed, if we neglect to hear God's message, and do not
hasten to set up in those regions the standard of the True
Prophet.

THEODORE CHRISTLEIB, D.D., Ph. D.
Professor of Theology and University Preacher.

Bonn, Prussiai December 20th, 1874

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INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER

BY THIS

REV. DR GUNDERT, CALW, WURTEMBERG.

We are indebted to peculiar circumstances for the follow-
ing pages. Two missionaries suddenly found themselves in
a position to observe closely the still unbroken national and
political life of a pure African race ; to live and to suffer
with them in a very important and critical period of
their history — ^probably indeed the turning point. But
in this case the usual state of things was reversed.
Europeans, whether travellers, merchants, residents, or
missionaries, when they cross the path of, or come in
contact with the negro, commonly do so from a position
of superiority. They look from above, but these men
saw all from below ; the white man was the slave, the
negro the m^ter.

Those who wish to know the state of things which
really existed in the now fallen Ashantee kingdom, its
forms of government, and the individual, social, and
political life of this interesting negro people, will find in
this journal important and dependable disclosures. Of
course, they are scattered through the narrative ; for a
connected summary, or a pdished description of the
country has not been attempted here.

To the attentive reader it will be clear that the real
journal, viz., that which was written simultaneously with
the events, only commenced when the writers had ink
and paper sent them. They both made use of the long

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xii INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

period of detention in Coomassie to write down the events
of each day, at the same time recording their remembrances
of the first year of their captivity. That the names of
places scarcely occur at all is to be accounted for by the
position of the unwilling travellers. The following state-
ment may help to throw light on the circumstances which
led to their being taken prisoners.

The Gold Coast extends from the Asini river to the
mouth of the Volta, and includes from three to four
degrees of longitude. It is traversed through the middle
by the Prah, and inhabited by negro tribes who mostly
speak a dialect of the Tschi language. On the western
side of the Prah are the Asini, Wasa, and Denkjera ; on
the other side ate the Fantee, Abora, Akem, Asen, and
Akwapem ; and towards the Volta are the Akra, Adangme,
Krobo, and Akwamu. Twenty-five forts were built from
time to time, in which European merchants formerly car-
ried on the slave trade. The chief of these forts, Elmina
and Cape Coast, two miles apart, have belonged (since
1637-1661) to the Dutch and English. These exercised
little, and certainly no good influence on the surrounding
negroes.

At length the Asantees, or as they are called in the
Coast dialect, Ashantees, appeared on the scene as a
conquering power, and in endeavouring to force their
way to the sea, came into collision with the British.
The latter fought a hasty battle with the king, Tuta
Kwamina, January 21st, 1824, and suffered a disgrace-
ful defeat. Two years later, September 19th, 1826, this
was avenged by a complete victory at Dudowa, after
which the experienced governor, George Maclean, arranged
the terms of peace, which guaranteed the independence of
all the tribes (with the exception of the Asinis in the
west and the Akwamus in the east), and placed them
under British protection. Two Ashantee princes, Kwanta
Bisa and Ansa Owusu, were sent as hostages to England,

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INTRODUGTORT CHAPTER.

xiu

whence they returned in 1841 as baptized Christians, and
accompanied a Wesleyan mission to Coomassie.

In 1580 the English territory was made more compact
by the purchase of the Danish settlements, and by an ex-
change with the Dutch in 1867, when a tax of a shilling a
head was imposed on the inhabitants of the protectorate ;
but very little was done for the improvement of the people.
The Wesleyans established a mission in the west, the
Basel Society did the same in the east, and these were the
chief efforts made for the elevation of the negro popula-
tion. In 1863 a fresh war broke out between the English
colonial government and the king of Ashantee, which led
to a disastrous campaign, the British troops falling
victims to the climate rather than to the enemy. Captain
Pine pleaded for means to make a vigorous attack upon
Coomassie; but he obtained only a few West Indian
troops who were encamped in the bush during the rainy
season, where numbers of them died. King Kwakoo
Dooah said truly, " The white men bring many cannon
to the bush, but the bush is stronger than the cannon."

In May 1864, an order was sent to discontinue the
war ; in consequence of which unfortunate proceeding the
Ashantees lost all respect for the British power; and
Parliament found it necessary to appoint a commission to
investigate thoroughly the condition of the British terri-
tory on the Gold Coast. Many strongly recommended
the abandonment of such an unhealthy, profitless colony,
while others as strongly advocated a more energetic
management of it ; between these two extremes of opinion
the commission thought it desirable to adopt a middle
course.

It recommended that the government should be left
more and more in the hands of the natives, and that the
British should carefully avoid enlarging their territory or
making any fresh treaties with the tribes on the Coast, in
order that the protecting power might, as soon as it was

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xiy INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

possible, without breach of honour, withdraw entirely.
It happened, as might have been foreseen. " The weak-
ness and incapacity of the local goveniment made every
prepress impossible," as Lord Grey truly stated. No
attempt was made to train the natives to self-government,
or to make them capable of defending themselves; the
weak policy which only aimed at avoiding all dealings
with Ashantee, and which, even when roused, persevered
in inactivity, inevitably led to war with this proud
people.

The Basel Society had, in the winter of 1839-40, sent
out their first missionary, Eies ; he had gone to Coomassie
and attempted to carry forward his work in Ashantee.

But later on circumstances arose which led the Basel
Society to enlarge theii* field of operations on the Volta,
and this was done without an idea that it was possible to
come into connection or collision with the eastern bound-
ary of Ashantee. Thus in 1846, the missionary Klauss
crossed the Volta and began to found a settlement at
about eight miles distance from the river, on high ground
near Anum. A steep healthy hill, covered with grass,
rose about 200 feet above the plain on the north of the
town. Here, after much difficulty, a house was at last
finished and a school commenced, while regular mission
work was carried on amongst the people ; an agent in
connection with the mission also bought up cotton, which
was sent down the Volta to the coast town Ada.

But from the beginning there were many political hin-
drances to the prosperity of the new station. To the south
of Anum, on the Volta, live the Akwems, who have long
been on very bad terms with their neighbours. In the
year 1867, their enmity took so active a form that Anum
became almost cut off from the rest of the missionary
territory, and could only be reached by a long and
circuitous route.

In 1869, the Akwems and the Anglos, a tribe who live

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INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

further to the east, formed a secret alliance with Ashantee,
and the latter power sent ai^ army across the Volta to
seize upon territory just outside the British protectorate.
It was believed in Coomassie that the English would not
raise any earnest objection to this, and the plan was, after
winning great victories, to push on with increased strength
to the Gold Coast. This expedition led, in June 1869, to the
destruction of the two mission stations Anum and Wegbe
(or Ho). Whilst the residents at the latter place were able
to escape in good time, retreat was impossible for the Basel
missionaries. The Swiss, Frederick Augustus Ramseyer
(with his wife and their infant son), had been in Anum
since December 29th, 1868. He had worked on the Gold
Coast since 1864, so that he had much African experi-
ence. The Silesian Johannes Euhne had been in Africa
since 1866, but he had only joined Ramseyer as a merchant
two months before they were* made prisoners. We will
now proceed to their own narrative.

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MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHAMEE.

CHAPTER I.

WAITING TIME IN ANUM.

After the arrival of Mr. Kiihiie on our station, Anum, his
predecessors, Mr. and Mrs. Schonhuth had, by order of our
Committee, to leave this place for their new field of labour
at Christiansborg ; but in war time it was no easy task
to find men for the transport of Mrs. Schonhuth and the
baggage, because an order from the camp, which was
pitched near our town, made it imperative on aU the men
to join their ranks, as a glimpse had been caught of their
enemies, the Ashantees. There was, however, no time for
delay, and by vigorous effort we induced four men to
assist us, sa that Mrs. Schonhuth was safely conveyed to
Ho, May 20th, 1869.

Alarming rumours were rife on all sides, while negroes,
painted and armed to the teeth, were constantly seen
leaving the camp and ascending our hill. The appear-
ance of these fellows was really terrific, with their caps of
dried skin surmounted by blood-stained goats' horns.
They vaunted their heroic deeds on such of their Ashan-
tee enemies as had come within their reach, and a band
of twenty of them demanded a reward for having kept
watch for us on the Wolta river. But the Almighty God

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2 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

had been our sole protector, and we firmly refused their
unreasonable request.

We scarcely believed anything we heard, and concluded
that as there was still a mixed population of young and
old left in the town, th^ danger could not be imminent.
We also hoped that the apparent attachment of the Anums
to us and our surroundings, and the kindness we had
shown them on various occasions, would prove some
secimty, and we suspected that the enemy desired us to
forsake our station only that they might plunder it to
their hearts* content. We therefore firmly resolved to
stay and abide the consequences. No idea of imprison-
ment or captivity in Coomassie ever occurred to us, believ-
ing we had really less to fear firom the Ashantees than
from the people around us. The kiog, however, sug-
gested our depositing our property. in Ho, though he
assured us there was no real danger; this we were
willing to do, but how to accomplish it was the question,
for most of our -servants, and even our nurse, had already
fled. Our brethren in Ho, who were, equally anxious
with ourselves to remain at their post, begged me to send
my wife with the little one to tbem for protection, and I
would gladly have accepted their kindness but for her
determination to remain with me.

The thing which caused our chief uneasiness was a
cloud of smoke which we observed rising behind the chain
of mountains near us, and which advanced continually in
an easterly direction. Sometimes it was so dense that
we thought it must arise from the burning of a village ;
then it became so faint as scarcely to indicate camp fires ;
and anon it faded into a thin blue mist. Our negroes
could not explain it, yet it was obvious that our king was
removing his camp into close proximity to us, so that it
was now within an hour's walk of Anum, and there was
no sign of breaking it up. By this time all business was

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WAITING TIME IN ANUM. 3

suspended, except that a good deal of cotton was still
being brought to us in exchange for cowries, and nearly
a hundred bales lay ready for dispatch; but the king
would not supply the men to take them down the river.

The clerk and the catechist remained faithful, although
very uneasy from the general excitement ; still, none of
us supposed we had more to fear from the enemy than
the extortion of a war tax, or the partial plunder of our
goods. Our neutrality had been recognised by the king
of Akwamu, an ally of Ashantee, who had twice per-
mitted Mr. Schonhuth to pass through his territory, and
it was well known to every one that we, as missionaries,
not only had nothing to do with war, but that Mr. Schon-
huth had once obtained the release of an Ashantee
prisoner at his own cost, and sent him back to his friends.

I regarded my wife's decision to remain beside me in
the hour of danger as an indication from God that we
were not to separate, and subsequent events strengthened
this impression. Most wonderfully was she upheld, both
in body and mind, during the weary years of our capti-
vity, and again and again did she revive my drooping
faith, throughout our lengthened wanderings.

Thus, amid alternating hopes and fears, the first week
of June passed away, yet the cloud of smoke was still
seen travelling eastward, and the question sometimes
flashed upon us, " Could the Ashantees be advanciog on
Ho ? " Meanwhile we could obtain no reliable news, but
if an engagement should occur, it would certainly necessi-
tate flight; for where would a combined resistance be
more easy than from the summit of our hill, surrounded
as it was by a high wall, and only ten minutes' walk from
the town.

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MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

CHAPTER II.

THE GENERAL FLIGHT.

We were awakened at day break, on the morning of 9th
June, by a loud knocking, and on opening the door,
several soldiers announced to me, in the king's name, that
a battle was at hand, that the town would soon be de-
serted, and we could expect no mercy from the blood-
thirsty Ashantees. " Would we like to escape ?" After
some deliberation we decided in the negative.

Scarcely had they left us when our boys asked leave
to join their mothers, who were preparing to flee. We
could not refuse them, for our other servants had already
gone, except two whom we had rescued from slavery,
with our catechist and our clerk. By the afternoon a few
stragglers alone remained in the town, and the king was
trying to establish his camp in its deserted area, for a
battle was expected in our immediate neighbourhood.
A merchant who attended our services, visited us, and
advised us to retire to Ho. "The Ashantees will not
injure your persons," said he, "but they might easily
carry you to Coomassie. I will, however, meet you again
in the hour of danger, seeing you decide to remain."
Still later we had a visit from a relative of the king,
assuring us that he had not ordered a flight, and regret-
ting that our servants had left us, though we hoped we
should see them again the following day. Thus warned,
we deemed it prudent, after dark, to bury two hundred

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THE GENERAL FLIGHT.

dollars in the garden^ and hide our rings in the same
place.

But the news which reached us on the morning of
June 10th, cut off all hopes of a speedy peace. None of
our servants returned, and the Christians, who liad been
faithful hitherto, now begged to be dismissed. "The
Ashantees," they said, " were known as executioners, and
they might be as likely to practise on black men as on
white ? " We gave them some money, and a testimonial
of faithful service, advising them on no account to mix
themselves up in the war. They then collected their few
belongings and departed, leaving us in a solitude most
solemn and strange, no voices but our own to be lieard-
We at once proceeded to chop the wood, milk the goats,
attend to cooking, and seek for water, which w as daily be-
coming more scarce. A message from the king now
informed us of his intention to meet the enemy in Anum,
and enquired if we were prepared to face the danger.
•We prayed for guidance, and replied that we would re-
move to Ho, if he could spare us men to convey my wife ;
thus leaving our station and property to the Lord'y care.
We then besought our Heavenly Father to hinder our going
if it were not His will, and rose from our knees peaceful
at heart, and strong in His strength. The king's answer
soon came, to the effect that Pekyi, with its surround-
ings (a former mission station four miles from Aiium), had
joined the Ashantees. We waited for a confirmation of
this report, and employed the interval in making a ham-
mock and two small boxes for our projected flight.

In the midst of these preparations, we were startled by
soldiers running towards us crying loudly, " run, run, the
Ashantees are in the town." The day passed on m we
waited in anxious suspense for the sound of a shot, or the
appearance of the enemy. As night approached, we
ventured to the town in search of water ; a death-like

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6 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

silence rqigned in its deserted streets, which were strewn
with broken fragments, while every house was so still
that the bleating of a kid was a welcome sound, and
cheered me as I retraced my steps homewards. We kept
lights burning and shutters open, trying in vain to obtain
a little sleep ; the wind, always high on our hill, was
especially boisterous that night, and most anxiously did
we long for day.

It came at length, and weary and worn as we were
with painful watching, we began to prepare our early
meaL Milking the goats was, after several attempts, found
to be an impossibility, our store of condensed milk we
dared not use, for it was our sole dependence for our
baby, so we hid the precious tins. Mid-day passed, still
the same dreadful silence prevailed; for miles around
there was no sign of life ; we were alone on our hill top.

Restlessly wanderingbackwards and forwards we looked
and listened ; the cry even of a bird startling us. Thus
the day wore on, our only employment throughout its
long hours being to boil a piece of meat in as little water
as possible, for the springs were a mile off, and our
precious store was nearly exhausted. Once, indeed, during
the afternoon the report of a gun reached us, and then we
distinctly heard voices crying, " come, come !" We strained
every nerve to catch the answers, but they were inau-
dible, the sounds died away in the distance, and we were
once more alone, with the prospect of another terrible
night of watching and suspense. Again we left the lamps
burning, and soothed by the sound of a heavy rain, we
actually fell asleep, thankful that our most pressing need
was thus being supplied.

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IN THE POWER OF THE ASHANTEES.

CHAPTER IIL

ISl THE POWER OF THE ASHANTEES.

It was a lovely morning; all nature smiled upon our
pleasant little station, and the brilliant sunbeams struck
yays of hope into our hearts, so that it almost seemed as
if our fears of the previous night had been groundless.
After breakfasting comfortably, we occupied ourselves
with our usual duties.

But while engaged in the verandah, my wife observed
the glitter of arms among the tall grass bordering the
footpath which led to the town. A troop of warriors
soon appeared, greeting us civilly in their own language,
but at the same time pointing their guns. We advanced,
calmly enquiring from whence they came. "We are
friends from Coomassie," said they, and beckoned us to
approach. They took our offered hands, and when we
assured them we were missionaries, having nothing to do
with the war, but quietly remaining when all others had
fled, they withdrew their loaded guns, adding that "we
were quite right,*' and begging us to accompany them to
their leader, who was close at hand and wished to see us ;
meanwhile, they would guard our station, which might
otherwise suffer from his pilfering crew.

Having really no choice, we, at their suggestion, arrayed
ourselves in our best to do the chief honour, took a little
refreshment, and followed our guides. I pocketed a few
presents, and my wife took two tins of milk, the baby's
bottle, and a wapm woollen rug — ^why, she hardly knew,

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8 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

as we were told we should soon come back — ^but alas,
from that fatal moment we beheld our much-loved home
no more.

We formed a singular procession, headed by a half-clad
soldier, armed with gun, bowie knife, and a long leathern
whip under his arm ; next myself, carrying our babe, then
my wife and Mr. K., three soldiers bringing up the rear.
We were soon met by hundreds of painted negroes, who,
despite the efforts of our leader to turn them back, rushed
up the hill shouting the name of Adu Bofo. It was easy
to see that their aim was the spoliation of our house and
property ; yet they did us no harm personally, and were
even outwardly polite, acceding to our request to point
their muskets away from us. In the company of this
riotous crowd we at last approached the town. Its silence
was broken now — the Ashantees had indeed taken pos-
session. They fixed on us their glaring eyes as they
vociferated in triumphant tones and noisy songs their own
heroic deeds. We sought in vain for their captain, though
they assured us he was near. Alas! on the very spot
where I had so often stood proclaiming God s message of
peace, all was havoc and confusion ; d^ris of all kinds
was scattered about the streets.

We were driven forward under a blazing sun, passing
burning houses, whose scorching heat increased our suffer-
ings terribly. For four hours the merciless march con-
tinued, and we were urged onward faster and faster, till,
on our strong remonstrance of such continued effort being
required of a woman, they promised us a sedan chair to
carry us back to Anum in the evening, A few yams, and
some milk for the little one was our food until we reached
Pekyi, a town which was said to have surrendered to
Ashantee unconditionally, yet one house alone remained
entire among smouldering ruins. Our enquiries after the
captain were answered by the command to march on, " but

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IN THE POWER OF THE ASHANTEES. 9

only a very little further." Some food was also offered,
which we pocketed, for fatigue and excitement deprived
us of all appetite. A company of naked prisoners were
just then led past us, bending under the burden of their
chains. How we pitied them ; yet the close surveillance
under which we were, and the exultant tones of the men
contending together for the honour of having caught us,
increased our fears that we were prisoners too. These
fears were soon sadly confirmed, for on looking up we
caught sight of a long line of soldiers, heavily laden with
our own household goods ; so that we at once perceived
the deception which had been practised upon us, and
realised our helpless condition. The assurance of our
gracious God that He would never forsake us alone sus-
tained us in that moment of agony !

At one o'clock we again set forward, with no heart to
resist and no care whither we went. We passed village
after village in ruins, till suddenly called to halt in the
presence of a little fat man with piercing eyes, who was
haranguing the bystanders. He gesticulated wildly, rose
from his seat, stretched himself to his full height, and
pretending to act the part of an executioner, declared that
he was a man of great power. I addressed him, begging
him to pity the alarm of our terrified child, and relating
to him our sad story, to which h^ listened with a patron-
ising smile, declaring he knew well we had nothing to do
with the war, and that he would accompany us to Adu
Bofo, which in truth he afterwards did ; thus somewhat
reassured we left the village.

Our road now lay along the beautiful Pekyi mountains,
and had our baby been willing to leave my arms one of
our guides would have carried him for us. It was past
sunset when, half dead with fatigue and exhaustion, we
were once more permitted to halt in a village full of
Akwamu soldiers, who flocked around us, laughing and

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10 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

mockingly exclaiming, "Oh! the whites; good evening,
sirs, where are your heads?" and from one shelter to
another they followed, assailing us with abusive taunts.
At length they were tired, and began to prepare for the
night, by lighting large fires around which they lay,
leaving us only space enough to sit in a crouching
posture.

They had given us some wretched meat, which we could
not touch, but tried to appease our hunger with a little
parched com and a few half-cooked beans, bestowed on us
by a pitying woman. Half choked by dense smoke and
heat, we dragged through the wearisome hours of darkness,
and slept at length from sheer exhaustion, but were soon
aroused by the attempted escape of another prisoner, who
lost his head in the struggle that ensued, which episode
caused much merriment among our guards.

No words can describe the languor and disgust with
which we rose as the day dawned, and watched our selfish
keepers eagerly cooking and devouring their morning
meal, without a thought or care for our wants. At our
earnest entreaty they at length vouchsafed us a very
scanty breakfast, while an exultant crowd again gathered
round the " humbled whites," and amused themselves by
offering us a portion of our own stores of food, which,
when we took, they immediately snatched away.

The moment had now arrived for our appearance before
the king of Akwamu, whom we found seated in the
middle of the village, among a crowd of councillors and
officials. He presented a sorry appearance, hanging his
head in shame and embarrassment, which was easily
accounted for, as no doubt he partly realised himself for
what we knew him to be — ^an arch-traitor.

The silence was broken at length by the question as to
what we knew of Dompre, the enemy's general. We
gave such information as we had, and then seized the

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IN TEE POWER OF THtl ASHANTEES. 11

opportunity of pleading our own cause, as missionaries
who had placed confidence on the respect due to our
acknowledged neutrality. He calmly begged us to make
ourselves easy ; assured us there was iio ground of com-
plaint against us, and that we should speedily be restored
to our home — a promise as false as it was fair. On our.
return, our ears were saluted by the welcome sound of
English words, which, though barely intelligible, were
evidently meant to express comfort and sympathy. It
was a young man who addressed us with, " never mind,
never mind," and a few other enigmatic and disconnected
phrases, constantly repeated. He was applauded as a
prodigy by the surrounding crowd, who listened in won-
der to his flowing words ; we, however, gathered but one
idea from the whole harangue, and this certainly was a
cheering one. It seemed that Adu Bofo was expected to
arrive almost directly, and we counted much upon his
appearance on the scene, though these hopes were soon to
be sadly disappointed. In the meanwhile our new friend,
Thomas Kofi, could not render us any practical assistance,
as his entreaties on our behalf were disregarded, and it \

was decided that we were to set out for the camp.

It was Sunday morning, and by ten o'clock we were f

again on our way, with no prospect before us but a re^
newal of the cruel driving haste, the burning sun, and
the vain entreaties for water to relieve our parching
thirst — it was just a repetition of the past day's miseries.
In our extremity we lay on the ground, trying to drink
from a wayside pool, so great was our need. Even this
was forbidden. At noon we passed soldiers cooking their
dinner, and we once more implored our cruel guards to
take pity, and bestow on us a drink of water. They
were unmoved, imtil suddenly remembering my pocketed
cigars, I oflfered them, and the bribe prevailed, so that
we were allowed to drink to oyxr heart's content. Not

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12 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

only was this indulgence thus procured, but a gourd was
filled, and carried by our leader to supply our future
need. Holding painfully on for another hour, we fell in
with our yesterday's hero reclining under a tree. Of him
we resolutely demanded food, and that so persistently,
that the astonished bystanders threw us some boiled
maize, which we eagerly devoured, though the gift was
accompanied with taunts coid jeers. Our poor babe,
too, was once more permitted to drink his milk in
peace.

At this juncture, Mr. K. twice sunk on the ground from
pure exhaustion, and this procured us a brief respite,
during which we lay and rested, thinking how differently
our brethren were employed on that calm Sabbath day.
But the cruel command to rise became every moment
more imperative, and we were forced to obey, though our
hearts died within us as we perceived that our path lay
over a high mountain, and our powers of climbing were
almost gone. We slackened our pace in prospect of the
terrible effort, and saw our own property continually
carried before us by one or other of the endless line of
followers that accompanied our march. Our guards soon
became furious at the delay, roughly seizing my wife's
umbrella, because " it hindered her in running," and other-
wise maltreating her. I determinately resisted this bar-
barous handling, and prevailed.

On reaching the summit of the mountain, panting and
breathless, we were commanded to halt, for the quick
ears, of our leaders caught the sounds of fighting some
miles ahead, and distinguished troops in apparent pur-
suit. Great excitement at once prevailed — shouting, hur-
rying, and driving ; with leathern whip of elephant hide
in hand, the commander flew from place to place rally-
ing his scattered forces. Our precious property was
thrown into the bush, as the men with shouldered guns

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IN THE POWER OF THE ASHANTEES. 13

passed on to the fight, not one being allowed to lag be-
hind.

From a field of maize we watched the hurrying, clamour-
ing crowd, occasionally catching the sound of distant
firing. Suddenly a crash was heard close by, a whiz of
muskets, and a cry of war, causing us to bend before the
whistling bullets. We soon, however, saw that this was
simply a clever trick of our own company, an artful de-
vice to deceive the enemy who were in conflict in the far
distance ; and when it was over they again drove us from
our resting-place. Our aching limbs would scarcely move,
but remonstrance was useless; they were in haste to
reach the camp, and in sileilce, almost in despair, we pur-
sued our miserable way, feeling that death itself could
bring us nothing worse. Sometimes We were staggering
through tangled grass ten feet in height, then over a
boggy plain lay our painful journey, our distress increas-
ing by falling rain, and still more by compassion for the
miserable creatures whose coi-pses or wounded bodies lay
in our path.

Insulted and abused by the soldiers, who threatened to
eat us when we reached Coomassie, our miseries intensi-
fied, until night closed upon us, and we ended another
day of bitter sufiering in a village where we were per-
mitted to halt. It was a horrible resting-place, full of
slain, so that we had to pick our way over the gory earth ;
and when my wife stumbled from weakness, her dress
was covered with stains. The soldiers were hastening to
inter the mangled corpses, and from every house around
us sounded the doleful lament of the women. It was
evident the Ashantees had been sorely discomfited, and
we feared the consequences, but were sustained by re-
membering that the very hairs of our head were all
ni^nbered.

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14 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

CHAPTER IV,

BEFORE ADU BOFO.

Driving long poles into the ground, over wMch they
stretched some branches, some soldiers were busy set-
ting up a rough encampment outside the village. The
darkness was so dense that we could distinguish little of
the busy scene beyond the fitful light of a blazing fire,
around which gigantic forms moved among the. shadows,
their labours being accompanied by a tremendous noise,
caused by the blowing of horns, which thrilled our
shattered nerves most painfully They had driven us
into a large hut where one of the king's sons was sitting,
and here tired nature claimed her due, and with my boy
in my arms I sank upon the ground utterly exhausted,
only longing to be left lying there in peace. But we were
once more hurried on, till at length our goal seemed to
be attained, and we suddenly found ourselves in the pres-
ence of the great commander, to meet whom we had been
so deceitfully allured from our homes three days before.
He was dressed entirely in white, and sat in state, while
our savage escort, on bended knee, related the story of
our seizure.

I tried in vain to speak. My attempt was met with
contempt and cruel indifference, while our inhuman
captor, rising, began to tear off my wife's dress, and bore
it away in triumph. A few hurried words of command
from Adu, and we were ruthlessly driven to a small hut,
where a fierce fellow advanced to meet us, brandishing a

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BEFORE ALU BOFO. 16

long, bright knife^ and seizing my arm, attempted to drag
me away. I forgot my weakness in the thought »of wife
and child, and sturdily resisted his eflforts, whereupon he
turned on Mr. K., joid instantly both were lost in the
outer darkness. We will give the description of the
cruel scene that was enacted in our brother's own
words.

" First," said he, " I thought of my loved ones far away,
begging the Lord to comfort them, and asking for myself
that I might be kept faithful even unto death, for I
thought the end had now come. It was, however,
ordered otherwise, and I was dragged into the presence
of an inferior chief, who sat in front of his dwelling, while
two attendants supported his arms in a horizontal posi-
tion. I was also permitted to sit down, joid thus
observed that the great man was suflFering from several
frightful wounds. In feverish excitement he turned
upon me, vowing that I should lose my hands if I had
had any part in the fighting. They now tore the ragged
coverings off my swollen feet, which were forced into
heavy irons secured by a ring; aU remonstrance, of course,
being useless, and my pockets were next rudely searched
and emptied. Seeing Mr. and Mrs. R. approaching, I
made an abortive effort to convey to their keeping their
woollen shawl, as a covering for their babe, but it was
snatched from my hands. Strange to say, a string of
coral beads, found within my hat, was restored, being pro-
bably regarded as a rosary used in prayer according to
the Moslem fashion. Two of my pockets were also over-
looked in the general search. This ordeal completed,
some bread soaked in water was bestowed upon me, but
fatigue and anxiety had banished hunger, and when left
alone, I fell on the wet groimd in a sleep that might
rather be called the stupor of exhaustion. I could hardly
realize my position on awaking. The noisy horns still

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16 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

sounded wildly in the distance, while the light of a clear
moon shone calinly over the blood-stained earth."

While Mr. K. was making these painful experiences,
we took a hasty farewell of each other, having no hope of
life, and inexpressible peace was granted us in the solemn
prospect of entering eternity. We no longer felt distress
at the prospect of leaving our helpless infant, but were
able to rejoice at the thought of the glory that awaited
us in our Father's House. Hearing myself called, we
turned into a hut close by, and there found our poor
brother loaded with fetters, but still alive; and as we were
now also in irons, we concluded that our execution was
postponed, and lay down to rest, after partaking of a
scanty repast. We slept in spite of the wild music that
sounded aroimd us, and the slight protection afforded us
from the pouring rain by our sheep skin and my coat.

The news of our capture had spread through the
neighbourhood, and we were aroused before day-break,
by an eager throng who came in hot haste to view the
wonderful spectacle of three white persons and a child
conquered and chained. They crowded round us in the
greatest amazement, handling us most unceremoniously,
as if we had been animals, exclaiming now and then,
" These are not men, they are spirits ; they have heads
like horses, they will soon be killed!" One tall, thin,
grey-haired man, ornamented with coral beads, iron rings,
and fetish cords, stepped up to Mr. K., and stared feroci-
ously at him for some minutes ; but his gaze being met
with unshrinking calmness, he at length slowly retired,
making some remarks to various attendants, from which
we gathered that there was no intention of bringing us
to trial.

When we had painfully crawled back, on hands and
knees, to our brother, who sat by the hut of the wounded
chief, some food was supplied us, and a few poles being

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>
3

If':;'

k i\m 111

''It*

I'll, ■I'i^h'jifli

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BEFORE ALU BOFO. 17

struck, skins were spread upon them to sMeld us from the
heat and the crowd. After a short time a group of men
approached, bearing aloft a large coloured umbrella, under
which Adu Bofo advanced to visit the chief. I made an
attempt to draw his attention, and again urged the sad
story of our betrayal and wrong. But though he took
my oflfered hand, and acknowledged the truth of my as-
sertions, he assured us, with stony composure, that being
his master's slave, his only course was to send us to the
king, {Old thus we recognized the terrible fact, that
Coomassie was to be our ultimate goal.

We entreated him at least to restore us to the
Akwamu King, who might send us to our brethren in
Krobo, promising that they would reward him liberally,
whereupon he pondered, and pretended to comply, for
which we thanked and blessed him most heartily. Our
irons were removed, and we were provided with a
roof of banian leaves. But before long a procession of
soldiers was again formed, and the camp was ordered
forward, while we, scarcely able to move, and stung
by pangs of the keenest disappointilient, were forced
to keep up with the rest. Mr. K. most kindly supplied
my poor wife with one of his shoes, which were for-
tunately small, she having lost hers in the muddy
path, and thus we reconmienced our dismal march under
a fresh escort of guards.

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18 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

CHAPTER V,

WITH THE ASHANTEE ARMY.

June 14-24, 1869.
Happilt we were not compelled to advance rapidly,
being in the midst of a company of soldiers who were
often commanded to halt ; so on we went, now on high
ground, then wading through long grass or primeval
forests. Twenty steps on either side of our column, two
other lines were marching in the singular style peculiar
to the country, and many a headless corpse which lay in
our path, showed that we were going through the scene of
yesterday's conflict. The frizzy hair of one of the heads,
made it apparent that it had belonged to an Ashantee,
the hasty retreat of whose enemy had compelled him to
forsake the bloody trophy. A few yards away from this
disgusting spectade sat a man preparing a goblet out of a
human skulL

After two hours of such marching, we were permitted
to halt for rest, surrounded by a vociferating crowd. Mr.
K. here contrived to pass some of his underclothing to
poor Mi's R., and this became her principal dress for seven
months. He also spared part of his linen for the little
one.

To an Akwamu chief, dreadfully disfigured by a
wound, I offered my hand, which he refused ; but gazing
at us intently, he beckoned to a youth in uniform, and
covered with amulets like a Fetish priest, who, to our

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WITH THE ASHANTEE ARMY. 19

surprise, addressed us in tolerable English, evidently
learned of our brethren in Akra. This giddy fellow cut
short our questions by turning his back on us with a ruda
laugh. " I am hungry,** said he, " I must be off." At
length we were released and taken to a small house, where
some sympathising people brought us com, pounded yams,
and goat's flesh, the latter of which we could not eat on
account of its high flavour, though later on hunger com-
pelled us to accept many ^things infinitely more dis-
gusting. At my wife's request, we were supplied with
water, a great comfort for our baby ; but in the evening
our fetters were again fastened, and we were thankful for
a block of wood as a pillow, when we lay on the bare floor.
We knew that under such hardships our babe's nourish-
ment must soon cease, and what should we do then ? We
could only say, " The Lord will provide."

The morning of June 15th dawned. We were released
from our fetters and led to a little hut in the wood, roofed
with palm branches, and about five feet square ; this was
our resting-place for four days. Here the king's son came
to question us as to our possessions. We answered him
truthfully, and assured him we had buried no cowries,
which made him very angry, and when I did not at once
understand his questions he shook both his fists in my
face. This discipline being over, a woman was brought
who was willing to nurse our baby, but her husband soon
forbade it, and we learned how we had been deceived when
told that we should have no difficulty ,in finding a nurse,
for this was the only woman who had an infant with her.
Alas ! the sufferings of my wife and little one pressed
more heavily upon me step by step ; one of the king's sons,
however, gave him a dress.

Our food consisted of boiled yams, water, soup, and
occasionally a little roasted com. Once we obtained a
pound of meat, the half of which we smoked and dried to

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20 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

make it last the longer ; our fingers had to do the duty of
spoons and forks. During these four days our comfort
was not increased by hearing, as we did on two occasions,
the peculiar beat of a drum and the report of shots, which
were answered by a terrible scream from the multitude.
It was evident that fresh prisoners were being executed,
and that even Anums were not spared.

On the evening of the 18th of June our attention was
arrested by unusual sounds ; we listened and heard the
report of distant shouting, of drums, and of cries of alarm.
The principal men around us hastily seized some ammuni-
tion and marched off. It was evident that Dompre had
made one of his daring sallies, for a sound of continuous
firing seemed approaching, and we were desired to come
forward. As we did so, Adu Bofo, advancing, commanded
us to enter the nearest shed. Here we beheld the booty
they had taken ; leather trunks, coverings, kitchen utensils,
and children's clothing, heaped together in fearful con-
fusion. To attempt to sit was useless, to lie down im-
possible, for new faces surrounded us and exultingly
fastened on our chains afresh.

It was a pale, clear, moonlight night, enabling us to
distinguish a crowd of soldiers gathering within the fence
of the majestic bamboo house inhabited by Adu. Out of
it he emerged, attired in a dirty yellow jacket, hung
round with charms to protect him from danger ; this was
his warrior's dress ! From his seat or throne he gave his
commands, during which the distant firing made it evident
the camp had been attacked. Rising, with his long pip©
still in his mouth, and attended by his guards, he marched
with a triumphant step to the scene of conflict, his guard
following. Thus left comparatively alone we had leisure
to observe our surroundings, and noticed among the other
guards one who, with a consequential air, paced up and
down before us, occasionally uttering a few words. He

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WITH THE ASHANTEE ARMY. 21

was a fierce looking fellow, armed with a large sharp
knife, which we felt assured was to decapitate us should
the combat turn out ill. As the night passed away the
sound of firing became more distant ; the troops were pro-
bably pursuing ; so we ventured to rest our weary heads
on the wreck of our property and actually slept, dreaming
of happy days gone by.

The morning of the 19th broke, and made apparent the
excitement around us. Preparations for war were immi-
nent, and our fetters were removed. We were then led
through ranks of armed men outside the camp, where the
Akwamus, headed by their prince, stood ready to start ;
a council of war was held, and after some hesitation it was
decided that we should return to the camp. Several
prisoners passed us, and among them, to our surprise, we
recognised the familiar faces of Palm and his wife from
Accm, who, at the same moment, caught sight of us, and
pointed to the chains on their feet. We could only sadly
realise our helplessness, and rack our brains with wonder-
ing how they also had fallen into the hands of our enemies.
It was evident they had not been taken in battle, as in
that case Palm's life would not have been spared.

We were conducted by another official to a new hut,
built for us near Adu Bofo's head quarters, and this time
our fetters were fastened on long before evening, and we
wore them through four weary days, on the third of
which, however, I succeeded in freeing my poor wife from
their burden. Thus another Sabbath of our sorrowful
captivity went by ; deprived as we were of the comfort of
our bibles, we found it a hard and bitter struggle to resign
our minds to this terrible dispensation.

Our supply of food grew scanty, but at ten o'clock
they brought us boiled yams, and in the evening pepper
soup with maize, and a bit of skin floating in it, was set
before us. This repast left us so hungry that we crawled

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22 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

round in our chains to beg a little more, but without
success. Often would we dream of our brethren at the
other stations, and picture ourselves among them; but
these visions of peace and plenty only roused the sharpest
disappointment when we awoke, while our anxiety for
our babe grew apace.

My wife held up bravely, and her faith was rewarded
by the unexpected receipt of two of our own tins of milk
from Adu Bofo ; these would last us a fortnight, by the
end of which time we fully trusted to be set at liberty.
We also met with much kindness from a son of Adu's,
named Apoku, who paid us frequent visits, and showed
his sympathy by cheering words, which gave us much
comfort, though his influence was insujficient to effect our
release. " You shall go, only be patient," he would say
to us again and again. And so we waited on through
unspeakable privations and endurances, hoping and long-
ing for the decision that should put an end to our trial.

At last this seemed to be coming, for on the afternoon
of the 23d we watched the assembling of a crowd, whose
liberal display of bright coloured umbrellas portended a
grand discussion. Our chains being removed by the com-
mand of Kwating, we were led forward with beating
hearts into the semi-circle, eagerly questioning within
ourselves whether the expected message had really arrived
from our brethren.

There sat the Akwamu king, his son on the left, and
on the right Bofo, with officers and servants ; while the
foreground was covered with a collection of household
stuff, the spoils from Anum. Friend Thomas, in his office
of interpreter, asked us, with a proud display of very
queer English, whether those were our possessions, and
on our answering in the affirmative, proceeded to inquire
if they were all we had. We replied that they were
only a small proportion. "What is missing ? " said Thomas,

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WITE TEE ASEANTEE ARMY. 23

*We could not give a list, but explained that much of the
station property was not our own, being merely entrusted
to Mr. Kiihne for sale by the directors of the mercantile
establishment of our mission, and that though we missed
many of our own things as well, we could only verify
them by the books and inventory. " Where are they ?*'
said Thomas, and again we had to assert our ignorance.

All this time he spoke so unintelligibly that I was
obliged to arrive at his meaning by questioning him in
Tschi; as, for instance, his pronunciation of "never
mind," sounded much more like ** noble man ; " and the
difficulty was not decreased by his high estimate of his
linguistic powers, which led him to hammer out the few
English words he knew, with fierce and stubborn decision.
Meanwhile our two cash boxes came to light, and at their
command, I drew out my keys and opened the first of
them which rested on the knees of Adu Bofo, whose eyes
glistened as he caught sight of a string of beads. These
were instantly hidden in the folds of his dress, while the
silver dollars charmed him exceedingly, and he displayed
them to the Akwamu king vdth cordial expressions of
delight. The latter simply nodded his approval, seem-
ingly indifferent to the whole concern.

Adu Bofo now rose, and offered to return my keys,
which I declined, seeing, as I told him, I had no further
use for them. I was next called upon to unlock my
private box, but being minus the key, this was impos-
sible, so they had to be satisfied with a list of its contents
and directions for finding the key. They then wrapped
both boxes in a table-cloth, together vdth a case of
dessert knives and forks, a dozen silver spoons — our
wedding presents — and two cases for shot. We were "then
dismissed, our hope again dashed to the ground, and we
returned to our chains. By way of compensation for our
disappointment, a few men followed us, carrying a present

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24 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHA^NTEE.

from Adu Bofo, consisting of three chaii^, a large woollen
quilt, our baby's pillow, two shirts, two window curtains,
three sheets, a velvet band, and my wedding gloves ; the
latter I sent back as useless to me in my present predica-
ment. A pair of large cloth shoes, which we vainly
attempted to exchange for smaller ones, completed the
list of these gracious presents, and of course we tendered
our prompt thanks to the donor.

Soon afterwards, the general sent us a jar of arrowroot
and another of meat extract, with an order to take out
the contents and return the pots. By this time we had
become so confident that we should speedily regain our
liberty that I actually committed the immense folly of
returning the oflTered food. Alas ! with what gratitude
we should have hailed a similar gift later on. However,
as it was, we all now lay down under our soft woollen
counterpane, feeling quite hopeful and contented, and
firm in the faith that we should soon be free.

It was a wretched night, however, for at twelve o'clock
a clap of thunder aroused us, and the rain came pouring
through the leafy roof — ^which was only intended as a
protection from the sun — ^not only soaking us, but
streaming through the hut in a flood, and obliging us to
take refuge upon the chairs. I tried to shelter the baby
by holding over his head a wooden dish, while K. dragged
himself along, chains and all, into the more substantial
hut of our neighbour. For two hours we sat crouching
on those chairs, till the rain ceasing, we once more rolled
the soaked counterpane around us and fell asleep. At
dawn, we left our miserable resting place, and as we dried
our garments by the ciamp fires, we observed signs of
removal, and heard whispers of a march to Coomassie.
Our alarm was great, for our chains and coverings were
put up for despatch. Our questions were not noticed, so
we demanded an interview with Adu Bofo. Our irons

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WITH TEE ASHANTEE ARMY.

were removed, and we were led towards the council, but
" he had not time to attend to us," and we were obliged
to return. Our visit had, however, made him uneasy, and
about ten o'clock he came to ask what we wanted. " Free-
dom," cried we, " freedom ; especially for the sake of our
suffering baby. Full well do we know our innocence in
reference to this war ; full well do we know that we can-
not long survive in our pl-esent condition." We also
spoke of ransom, which we knew our brethren would
gladly give.

With an ironical laugh, peculiar to himself, he turned
to his followers, sarcastically remarking, "He promises
much money if we take him to Krobi ; " then, fixing his
eyes upon us, he continued, "You must first go over
yonder, eat a little and rest, after which I will take you
to the coast." He then dismissed the people, and left us
to guess whether he intended to convey us to some hiding
place, or to Coomassie. Thus, after ten days bitter ex-
perience of this wretched camp life, we had to resume our
onward journey, whither we knew not, but strong in our
Master's assurance, " Lo, I am with you always, even to
the end of the world."

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26 MISSIONARY LIFE IN A8HANTEE.

CHAPTER VL

THE MARCH TO THE VOLTA.

On Thursday morning, the 24th of June, we quitted the
camp and resumed our old order of march, conducted by
a guard of soldiers. After passing a pond on the road
filled with headless corpses, we ascended a hill, whence we
saw long lines of persons likewise under guard and moving
in our direction. There were men, women, and children
from Tongo — all prisoners like ourselves.

With very brief intervals of rest we walked on through
the day; once we crossed a stream, whose cool, fresh
water, for the time, quenched our burning thirst. Though
shallow, the current was strong, and I felt most grateful
to one of our guides for carrying my wife across, though
he grumbled sorely whilst he did so. Night at length
brought a short and welcome reprieve, and we sank to
rest in a half deserted village, whence we were again
driven at daybreak. Though the same dreary prospect was
before us, we were somewhat relieved, as our road lay
through plantations of com and yams. Our path was
clean and well kept, and led us to a thriving village, where
we even enjoyed the shelter of a roof. We were now
taken into the presence of the resident chief, before whom
we passed in single file, oflfering the usual salute, and,
this ordeal completed, we stood, while the chief with his
elders and councillors paid us a similar attention. Carriers
then displayed the spoils from Anum, which were duly

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THE MARCH TO THE VOLT A. 27

examined and removed, by the command of the prince,
to be stored in safety. It afterwards transpired that Adu
Bofo intended to bestow a proof of confidence upon this
individual by leaving the booty in his charge; but in
1871 the general, on his return to Coomassie, led off the
same prince and his people as captives, and when we again
met them they were in the most wretched and dejected
condition.

On returning to the village we chanced to discover three
of our boxes, which seemed to have escaped the general
examination. Wondering what was to be their fate, I
begged leave to search for a boot, as my poor wife, being
now completely barefoot, was at the mercy of the sharp
stones. A reluctant consent enabled me to commence a
search among a confused mass of medicines, clothes, a
thermometer, and a violin, all of which had been ruthlessly
thrown together. I at length thankfully drew out one
slipper of my own, and we were glad to tie it on before
hurrying up a rocky hill the next morning.

Under other circumstances we should have felt richly
rewarded on reaching the summit of this eminence, where
a magnificent panorama burst upon our view. Before us,
as far as the eye could reach, lay broad and verdant
plains — ^a garden of beauty, bordered in the far distance
by the winding silver thread of the Volta. For a moment
we rejoiced in hailing the river as an old friend ; then,
with a flash, the conviction was forced back upon us, that
if we crossed the Volta, it would only be on our sure and
sad way to Coomassie. So we stood in silence, each of us
reading in the other's eyes the reflection of our own
sorrowful thoughts ; and thus the vision passed, while we
turned to encounter the stem reality of the descent.

And, oh! what a descent it was, leading us down
among rocks that were almost perpendicular ! My feet
seemed to touch the head of the person in front, while we

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28 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

cautiously clung to our footing, and crept on with slow,
painful movements; when, after three-quarters of an
hour's sliding, straining and balancing, we again stood
safely on even ground, though with wounded feet and
trembling knees, we felt deeply sensible that /t special
Providence had watched over our way.

Our inexorable guards now urged us rapidly forward
over the beautiful plain, but no words can paint the thirst
of that fearful mid-day heat. While we could, we kept
wet cloths wrapped round the head of our infant, but the
supply of water failed us at last, and then all hope seemed
gone. Once, in a slight hollow of the road, we came upon
a little muddy pool, and this we lapped up greedily,
like Gideon's warriors. It was past noon when we
reached a small cluster of trees, where a short interval of
repose was granted, while yams and a little water were
placed before us, being the first food that had passed our
lips that day. Our journey then took a north-westerly
direction in the course of the river, which we could not
yet see.

The shadows were lengthening before we staggered
through the streets of a village, Asuaso (called Dschome
on the map), and once more looked upon the broad
waters of the fair Volta, gilded into splendour by the rays
of a setting sun. Close beside its high bank lay our
night quarters, where our fetters were fastened, and as
Asuaso joined Ashantee, provisions were preremptorily
demanded by our people, and we thus obtained the gift
of a hen with some com, in addition to the usual yams.

On Sunday, the 27th of June, arrangements were made
for our transit across the river in two canoes, so slight in,
structure that any movement endangered our safety.
Our gallant leader, fearing to risk his own life, sent U9 on
first, while he calmly stood contemplating the perilous
undertaking, and when all the rest were safely landed, he

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THE MARCH TO THE 70LTA. 29

finally ventured to follow, after which we resumed our
journey into the unknown regions before us.

Here we will make a slight pause, in order to introduce
some details of the company in which we travelled. The
first party was composed of old Ageana* and his staff.
He was a bald, grey-bearded man of sixty ; surly, dis-
contented, and feared by alL He appeared always angry,
except when under the influence of drink, when he boast-
fully related wonderful histories of himself and his ances-
tors ; at other times he made no friends, and his be-
haviour to us was gruff and savage in the extreme. Him-
self a slave of Adu Bofo, he, in his turn, owned numerous
slaves, and a great collection of wives. His son Ewabena
— ^a faithful copy of his father — was a confirmed drunk-
ard, though only eighteen years of age, and his rude
arrogance and covetousness added a good deal to our dis-
comfort. His relative, Opoku, the inseparable companion
and chief councillor of Ageana, was an aged man, and an
adept in cunning craftiness, deceit being stamped indelibly
on his every feature. He was a person who well knew
how to carry his point, and when flattery was unavailing,
the expression of his rage became truly awful. A few
slaves completed this first party.

The next group (" our soldiers **) was formed by three
warriors, each about thirty years of age. Adu Kwaku,
a hairy little man of sanguine temperament; Bobie, a
quiet, phlegmatic fellow ; and Angfwiri the youngest, a
man of ambiguous character, who said very little, but
always contrived to keep in old Ageana's good graces,
which made him an object of envy to the others. They
all presented a very singular appearance, having twisted
their long hair into small tufts, which they regarded as
peculiarly handsome. They were rough and rude at first,
but as time wore on they became our best Mends, and
* The g in this name is pronounced hard.

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30 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

treated us with as much consideration as was possible in
our forlorn condition. Each soldier was attended by a
lad, and this trio of boys brought up the rear of our pro-
cession. In the centre of this company we marched as
slaves, daily enduring a fresh torrent of abuse ; the old
leader himself taking special delight in trying to extin-
guish our hopes, while he drew lively pictures of the state
of things in Coomassie, and assured us that " our heads
would be cut off there." Later on, however, it became
evident that the king had no intention of injuring us, so
that we could again breathe freely.

And now, as we look back upon the terrible ordeal, we
can thank God for so ordering our way that we learnt to
know the Ashantee people not as our inferiors in power
and position — as is usually the case with missionaries in
their relations to heathen teibes — ^but as masters and
superiors, seeing that our lives and welfare depended on
their mercy and pleasure. Thus I trust we gained a new
and more complete stock of information and experience
for our future work.

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FROM THE VOLTA TO OKWANO. 31

CHAPTER VIL

FROM THE VOLTA TO OKWANO.

It was on a sad Sunday morning that we lost sight of our
beautiful river, and plunged, in a westeriy direction, into
the unknown regions beyond. A thick fog, which gradu-
ally turned into heavy rain, corresponded with our cheer-
less feelings, as we plodded over a path so narrow that the
tall wet grass on either side soaked our poor ragged
garments through and through, and filled us with dread
as to the effects of this exposure on our little boy. Ageana
hunted us forward with abuse, and seemed to look on the
bad weather as a fault of ours. Every, petition for rest
met with the reply, " Duom, duom I" (forward) " No rest
will be given before evening." However, in the afternoon
a halt was made, when we suddenly came upon some
empty huts, seemingly built for the accommodation of
travellers ; and we were able to lay our tired darling to
rest on a bed of leaves while a fire was lighted, at which
we dried our clothes. My petition for the use of a few of
the aiticles in our own trunks was disregarded, though
seconded by the pleading of our soldier guards, and after
a scanty supper of boiled com — our only meal that day
—our irons were secured.

The next morning was brilliant, but our early walk
through dripping foliage drenched us completely. After
partaking of a small maize loaf we pursued our way
through tangled woods, treading the marshy soil with
grateful appreciation of the shade afforded by trees ; but

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32 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

as our path was constantly crossed by wide ditches and
long drooping branches, we grew more stiff than ever, by
dint of stooping, climbing, and leaping, and emerged on
the open plain less able to bear the burning rays of the
sun. StiQ this was a red letter day, for two rare luxuries
awaited us. Beside a spring one of our soldiers found a
quantity of snails, which were hailed as a prize and made
into broth ; and never was food more welcome than this
repast proved to us in our half-starved condition. Nor
was this alL In a clear brook, two feet in depth, we were
actually allowed to bathe — ^for the first time in our cap-
tivity. In grateful relief we forgot for the moment our
chains, and soon sank into a deep, refreshing sleep.

The weary plain was crossed at length, and on the first
of July we saw in the distance a glorious range of moun-
tains, and stood on the banks of a fine river, some eighty
feet in width. As this was to be crossed, I plunged in to
try the depth, and finding it reached my waist, I asked
that my wife might be helped in making the passage.
As this was contemptuously refused, I was myself forced
to carry her over, a feat which I am tl^ankfiil to say was
accomplished in safety, while Ageana, to our surprise, took
charge of the little one. On landing, we found a row of
camp huts, built in the beginning of the year by Adii
Bofo, on his march to Akwamu, and here Kwateng met
us with the caravan, and I extorted a reluctant consent
to our abstracting a pair of socks out of one of our trunks,
my wife being by this time nearly barefoot Three
soldiers superintended this search. I also ventured to
ask Ageana for the loan of one of the chairs with which
Adu Bofo had presented us, and which he had appro-
priated while the others were left behind, but his savage
reply was, " leave it alone !"

Our ears were now saluted with the glad news that if
we pushed on rapidly, we might hope on the morrow to

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■59
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O

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FROM THE rOLTA TO OKWAO. 33

reach a town, and find abundance of food, the mere
thought of which invigorated us, though knowing the
difiiculty of carrying supplies, we had refrained from
murmuring at the scanty fare that we had hitherto
shared with our captors. The Ashantees being a hardy
race inured from youth to the severest simplicity,
are able to march day after day at a quick,
steady pace, with short intervals of rest, and a modi-
cum of food. They lie down to sound sleep at night,
after a light supper of com, waking refreshed and
strengthened to resume their way at sunrise.

Our route led us toward a range of blue mountains, which
called up sweet and sad associations of our distant home.
The rocky ground echoed to our footsteps, and on reaching
the first elevation the high outline stretched far away to
the right, ending abruptly in a square rock some two
hundred feet in length, which curious conformation riveted
our interest, and turned out to be the shrine of the great
Fetish of Okwao.

We now crossed the high plateau, and prepared for a
fresh ascent, toiling onward wearily, as no food had yet
passed our lips that day. In two hours a brook was
reached, beside which we found seated several members of
our own party enjoying a meal of bread. Famished with
hunger we expected a respite and some refreshment, but
to my intense and bitter indignation this was con-
temptuously refused. Even now my strongest feelings
are roused when memory recalls the blustering urgency
of Ageana, as he roared his command, " Duom, duom "
(up ! forward), not even permitting us to taste the water
at our feet, or to fill our calabash. Though we obeyed, I
can fairly say that my blood boiled with anger, and for
some hours we endured agonies of suflcring.

At about three o'clock in the afternoon a pause was
made for a few minutes, and a small roll was thrown us,

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34 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

after eating which we entered the deep shades of a prime-
val forest. Still suffering from the keenest pangs of
hunger, which had been only augmented by the cruel
fragment supplied, our strength was unequal to the
strain, and we repeatedly staggered and fell, our feet re-
fusing to move at our bidding, spite of the repeated in-
junctions of our guides to rouse and exert ourselves as
our goal was near.

At this critical juncture a messenger of God's provi-
dence appeared in the shape of one of the soldiers who
came to meet us at a bend of the road, carrying some
maize cakes, every crumb of which we devoured with
avidity, and being thus strengthened, half an hour more
brought us to the plantation on the outskirts of the
town. Here we again fell in with the captives from
Tongo, and to our delight saw large quantities of maize
being carried off the fields. Kwateng soon brought us
a small supply of palm wine, which revived our fainting
powers, and with thankful hearts we entered the clean,
well kept street of Tafo, the capital of Okwao, which
boasted five or six hundred inhabitants.

Our reception was superior to anything we had hoped
for ; indeed the people vied with each other in kindness,
and no rude jesting escaped their lips as they gazed at us
in wonder and pity.* We were shown into a small
room in the centre of the town, which seemed to have
been specially prepared for us, and the kind owner, un-
willing to subject us to the annoyance of inquisitive
bystanders, soon removed us into one which was more
spacious. We were now prepared to show ourselves to
the people of influence in the town, who consisted chiefly

* The average of onr daily march was abont thirty English miles,
sometimes more, at other times less. I can regard it as nothing less than
a miracle, when I think of my delicate wife's endurance of this con*
tinned physical effort during so many weeks.

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^* *!^

FROM THE VOLTA TO OKWAO. 35

of women, the wives of officials gone to the war,
all painted white, and richly decorated with gigris and
fetish channs, worn for the sake of their husbands, for
whom they also made a daily procession through the
town, invoking the protection of their gods. After ex-
changing the customary civilities with this group, in the
midst of which sat an honoured priest, we were led to
the chief, a small man whom we found enthroned on his
doorstep, with his goodnatured wife beside him. He
testified his gratification by warmly pressing our hands.

Scarcely had we regained our rooms, when gifts of food
came pouring in from the hospitable people on all. sides;
boiled maize, cassada, and an enormous dish presented by
the men of the town. Gladly and thankfully we pro-
ceeded, for the first time in twenty days, to satisfy our
hunger, and fully enjoyed the good mutton broth and
well seasoned fufu. The priest an old man, sent palm
wine with yams and bananas, while to complete the feast,
a present of pine apples arrived from the wife of the chief.
These were however returned by Kwabena, the surly son
of our leader, and upon the kind woman urging the
acceptance of her gift, he himself made off with the wel-
come supplies, and also appropriated portions of the
other food, informing us, with his usual politeness, that
he would take care of our provisions.

On this memorable evening, the first glimmer of light
broke in upon us, for we had at length met with some
sympathy and hiunanity, and not least from the priest
himself — ^indeed we afterwards learnt that such conduct
was characteristic of this class. And now hope whispered
that perhaps the worst of our journey lay behind us, and
that some civilized towns might be in our forward path.
But for our helpless babe of nine months we still
trembled. Could he endure much longer the want of
proper food (for the milk was almost gone), and the hard-

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36 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

ships of such travel as ours. Alas ! in the evening, the
momentary gleam of sunshine, which had brightened our
toilsome way, was clouded, for our fetters were once
more fastened, though the observers looked on us with
pity, evidently believing we were innocent sufferers.

Very early in the morning we found ourselves again
on the march, and had already left the town behind us,
when we were overtaken by a messenger fix)m the kind
chief who had so befriended us, and despite the anger of
our conductor, he felt compelled to let us return to the
outskirts, where the chief stood waiting our approach.
To his enquiry as to how we could leave him without a part-
ing word, we replied, that being prisoners we had no will of
our own. He then refreshed us with a draught of palm
wine, and with thanks and blessing we bade him farewell.

Our journey this day was through woods, which
sheltered us from the heat, and lessened the distressing
thirst. We were gradually ascending until noon, when
we arrived at a town whose name, Abetifi, signified the
"Tops of Palms," and thus, whichever way we turned
our eyes, nothing but palm trees met our view. While ar-
rangements were pending for our introduction to the chief,
we stood outside the town, and Ageana with twp soldiers
entered. He was not flattered by his reception, and re-
turned crestfallen, while to us the kindness of the people
was great, and for some reason not apparent, we remained
among them three days.

This rest Vas the more welcome as our babe was suffer
ing from fever, and Mr. K. had a deep wound in his heel
produced by the heavy irons, and causing him intense
pain in walking. The good people, high and low, alike
vied with each other in ministering to us, and most
deeply did we feel their cheering attentions. The priests
visited us repeatedly, always exclaiming, " These must be
men of God."

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FROM THE VOLT A TO. OKWAO. 37

Just at this timQ a comforter was sent us, in the shape
of a young man who modestly presented us with four
bananas on a wooden dish, and begged us not to be too
sorrowful, " for," said he, " if it be God s will, and with the
gracious approval of the king, you will soon be back in
your homes." These words soothed us, coming as they
did from a native of Ashantee, who had, it seems, spent
several years working for our missionary brother, Mr.
Mohr, at Akuapem. We felt almost as if we had met
with an old friend in talking with him ; his name was
Yau, and his whole manner and bearing bore the trace of
bis association with christian customs and people.

But the journey had to be resumed, and our next resting-
place was Abene, the residence of the Akwari king, who
was absent, but both priests and people showed us extreme
kindness, filling our little room with stores of provisions,
which taught by previous experience, we carefully
guarded. In the evening we once more enjoyed the
luxury of a bath, in a small river which ran through the
town. Thus again were our griefs alleviated, and though
we dared not ask a question as to the distance we still
had to traverse, we ventured to hope such happy experiences
would continue till we reached Coomassie. Alas ! while
indulging in these blissful dreams, we heard to our dismay
that our next nights would be spent in the bush, and our
hearts again sank at the thought of this new trial for our
tender child ; yet even then, the assurance of our Heavenly
Father's loving care was our support and stay.

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38 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

CHAPTER VIII.

JOUKNEY TO AQUAGO, AND THE HALT THERE.

7-28 Jtily, 1869.
Our next journey lay through well-watered palm forests,
where our sufferings from hunger made the few pine apples
we had brought with us a most valuable help. About
five in the evening we found our burden-bearers resting
in an old camping ground, which sight aroused the rage
of Ageana, so that the poor tired creatures sprang to their
feet, and started afresh with their loads. One woman
venturing to complain of its weight, was irritated to the
last pitch of endurance by the storm of abuse poured forth
on her. She returned a volley of angry words, seized her
load, and made off to the woods, where she was followed
in pursuit by^our entire company. Thus left alone with
Ageana, we were accused as the authws of this mischief,
for said he, " it was your thiugs they were carrying," an
assertion which was utterly false, for with the exception
of the chair he had appropriated, and would never even
lend us, they had nothing of ours at all.

Unripe bananas boiled in their skins were now set be-
fore us. After trying in vain to eat them we sank down
on the damp ground — a few leaves our only protection,
a stone our pillow — and thus, with our irons clasped round
us, we once more fell asleep till the morning, when we
pursued our journey stiU fasting, so that for twenty-four
hours not a morsel passed our lips. Our people had
cooked themselves a savoury soup before our eyes, from a

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JOUEXEY TO AGUAQO. 39

squirrel which they had shot, and had also eaten com and
ground nuts to the full ; but it was evening before we
obtained our pittance. At this place we observed some
huts roofed with branches of banana, and thus knew that
a plantation was at hand. Might we light a fire in the
night, I asked of our hard-hearted leader ? It was per-
mitted, but still we were sorely tried ; our last drop of
milk was gone, and though our darling babe had cut some
teeth, and hunger made him devour some of our coarse food,
we knew he could not long be supported thus. Towards
noon the next day, however, a man passed us carrying
two large pisangs (a native fruit) and Ageana begged them
for the child. They were reluctantly yielded, and one
was baked and eaten by the little fellow with great enjoy-
ment, whilst we treasured the other for the morrow.
After some further marching, the crowing of a cock
greeted our ears, and we soon entered the town of Aguago,
whose young chief came out some little way to bid us
welcome. Being considered too early an hour to offer us
palm wine, gin was brought iastead, which however we
refused, to the delight of Ageana, who eagerly appro-
priated it. Com, bananas, and a dish of fufu, were set
before us, to all of which we did full justice.

The houses in this place mostly consisted of only one
room open in front, the entrance being formed by a few
steps, polished daily with an oily red earth. We were
taken into a small yard surrounded by four of these
apartments, each of them about five feet by six, so that
we barely found space to lie down in the one allotted to
us. Ageana took possession of the second, and the slaves
of another, while the fourth served as a kitchen.

All the luggage was now unpacked, and it soon became
evident that we were to stay here, as the event proved,
much longer than we wished. A few days passed
and then we observed that the wily Opoku, Ageana's

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40 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

chief adviser, was preparing for a journey, in which he
was accompanied by two of our soldiers.

It now transpired that they were bound for Coomassie,
and would be back in a fortnight. Conjectures were
useless, but our imagination was busy. Sometimes we
apprehended that we were to be detained here until the
return of theurmy, or that this might be the preparation
for the final stroke. Then the thought of our helpless
infant lying beside us so pale and quiet was too ago-
nizing to contemplate, and we could only look to the
strong One for strength. In order to supply the lack of
milk, we tried to persuade our sullen leader to procure
some eggs. Of course, he would not buy them, but at
length we prevailed on him to go to the chief, who gave
us his own store, with the permission to beg more in the
town. Most touching it was to see how eagerly our poor
little one swallowed this nourishment, and very heartily
did we thank the Lord.

Our life was now very monotonous : as soon as we dared
to stir in the morning, we roasted a ripe red fruit for the
babe's breakfast, and then strolled about or sat under a
tree. Our appearance at first excited much curiosity,
and the people flocked around us, but we had no heart to
notice them. At eleven o'clock they brought us fufu in a
broken dish that resembled a dog trough, and we com*
pleted our meal with bananas, which we were allowed to
pick freely in the plantation. To make up for this
indulgence our regular supplies were curtailed, and a bit
of meat as large as a nut was given for three. Ageana
had bought the leg of a boar for two shillings, and every
day for three weeks, cut off the supply he thought fit for
the soup, and after directing his attendants to take it to
" the slaves," troubled himself no further.

We crouched in our wretched room during the hottest
hours of the day, and most thankful indeed should we

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JOURNEY TO AOUAGO. 41

liave been for a gospel or book of psalms. Later on,
always attended by a keeper, we sallied forth to the brook
to try and do a little washing, but as we did not possess
a single article of toilet use, our attempts were very cir-
cumscribed, and we were shockingly tormented with
things we cannot name. However, in the eyes of our
persecutors, we were supposed to be treated very fairly.
We had now worn our clothing incessantly for six weeks,
and our only method of bodily refreshment consisted in
dipping our linen in water as frequently as possible.

Ageana's nightly revela interfered with our evening
meal, which was rarely provided, though we were required
to present ourselves regularly for the fastening on of our
fetters, after which, crawling as best we could to our
narrow quarters, we usually strange to say, slept soundly.
Our breakfast hour was one of severe trial, on account of
our babe, who was often prostrate with fever, requiring
comforts impossible to obtain. We had not even the use
of the common fire, which was claimed and engrossed by
the entire company; when I besought mercy in the shape
of a little gold dust, to procure some eggs, I was derisively
told by Ageana he had none to throw away. With tears
in my eyes, the babe in my arms, and his mother by my
side, I went from house to house pleading for help;
many were touched, and some bestowed on us the deli-
cacy wfe so much desired.

One afternoon being thus employed, we encountered
two messengers of the king, one of whom on hearing of
the cruelty and injustice we suffered, offered payment for
four eggs, causing our very hearts to bless him. It was
about this time that we chanced also to meet a petty chief,
"^ho had visited his brother at Akem, and become
acquainted with our missionary there. Hearing that
we too were missionaries he believed us to be good people,
and many a time a gift of fruit or eggs reached us from

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42 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

him ; truly did we pray that this cup of cold water might
not lose its reward. We were now less strictly watched,
and allowed to walk up and down the yard unattended by ,
a slave. Still it happened one morning that — ^breakfast
being late and hunger pressing — ^my wife took two bananas
which no one in a plantation village would have noticed ;
but Ageana saw it, and springing from his chair abused
her till she wept. Her tears increased his indignation,
and with violent curses he repeated the threat of cutting
off her head. When I said. We shall have a word about
this in Coomassie, his son screamed with rage, and extended
the threat to us alL Again, when we begged our soup
without pepper, which caused Mr. K. much suffering, it
was ordered to be made so hot that, spite of our hunger,
we could not touch it. The rage of the old man was then
extreme, and the water in which some fruit had been
boiled was given us in its place.

While we stayed here the natives offcen called me
"Seese." This we discovered to be a variation on the
name of our missionary brother. Suss, which, strange to
say, seemed familiar to all the Ashantee people. They
had probably made his acquaintance at Gyadam, and he
appeared universally beloved and respected, so that I was
honoured in being taken for his brother. Mr Kiihne's
name they could not pronounce, so he was usually called
" The long one," or " the white one," to distinguish him
from me.

One night we woke under the dreadful sensation caused
by the bite of hundreds of ants, with which we were
covered. Helpless in the darkness, and with our feet
chained, we could only crawl away and find refuge among
the cooking utensils, where we remained until the
morning. But a still worse trouble was the loss of our
rug, which had remained behind ; thus we had no pro-
tection from the cold ground, and palm wine being here

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JOURNEY TO AGUAGO. 43

veiy cheap, Ageana indulged in his favourite vice, and
after boasting of his greatness as he sat on our chair, he
would cross over to us, and say, with tipsy sympathy, " if
you are hungry just come to me, and say, Father, we are
hungry, and you shall have all you wish." In his sober
moments, all sympathy vanished.

Spite of all our loving care, our dear child daily faded
away ; his once rosy cheeks were pale and hollow, so that
our hearts ached when he fixed his brilliant eyes on his
mother's face as we took our food, and seemed almost to
say, " Have you nothing but this empty bottle for me ? "
He never fretted, but sat as if he knew the whole case,
and was resigned.

On the evening of July 25th, Opaku returned from
Coomassie, finding Ageana as usual intoxicated ; yet he
was soon seen running about and crying, "The king
thanks me," from which we inferred he had had a
message of approval. From our soldiers we learned that
we were to be cared for and conducted to a town, and
that two small packets of gold dust, part of which was
intended for us, had been divided by Ageana among his
own party. We were left in uncertainty as to the king's
commands concerning the future, and could only commit
ourselves to the heart of our loving Saviour, and rest
upon His assuring words, " It is I, be not afraid."

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44 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

CHAPTER IX.

THE LITTLE ONE GOES HOME IN TOTORASE.

Early on the 28th of July we continued our journey in a
south-westerly direction. We passed through a fine
timber forest, and after three hours inarch, reached the
village of Amantra, whose chief received us kindly, and
was touched by our request for eggs for our sinking
child.

As we rested in the open square, we were visited by
the whole population, and upon our gratefully accepting
a red pisang, the people ran to their homes to fetch us
com, bananas, bread, and even a small piece of bacon, *
which, though no larger than a walnut, we carefully
divided. Our old savage would not let us stay here, seem-
ing to -grudge us the friendly offerings of the people, so
we were driven on till we reachecl a group of huts, where
plenty of palm wine could be procured, which was always
an attraction to Ageana.

I begged to be permitted to go back for a promised
supply of eggs, urging the responsibility that rested upon
him, of sacrificing our babe's life for want of suitable
food. This rendered him furious ; he rushed about like a
wild beast, and at last seized a chain and secured me with
it, while my poor wife sat by weeping. Brother K,

* I may Here remark that pork cannot be recommended as safe eating
in Asbantee, seeing that pigs are permitted to wander about and search
for their own food, which (in Ooomassie), yery frequently consists of
slaughtered human flesh i

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THE LITTLE ONE GOES HOME. 46

finally took him in hand, and the chain was removed.
We then heard from a slave that two eggs had been
offered to a Fetish at the spring, and if we were not
afraid of the idol, we might fetch them. Under the
escort of a lad, I at once went and succeeded in finding
them ; it is true they had been laid on the top of some
oil and yam, yet my wife rejoiced at the treasure.

We were now told that our next march would be a
long one, and as we started on it very hungry and with
scanty supplies, the prospect was dreary enough, but the
forest still protected us from heat, while a mountain
stream crossing the path, slaked our thirst. It was after-
noon before we were allowed to halt for refreshment, and
after fighting our way for some distance through tall
stiff grass, our guides discovered that they had missed
the track ; as it was now impossible to r6ach Sukoree,
we rested for the night at a small plantation village,
where after the longest day's march we had yet made, an
unexpected joy awaited us. We had eaten our usual
spare supper, and had requested some stock yams for the
child, which were refused, so we took leave to help our-
selves from the abundance growing around. A -violent
storm drove us to a hut for refuge, and as night had
fallen, we lay down to sleep unfettered. After a while,
Ageana came up shouting, " white men, are you asleep ?"
" Yes," we replied (for " da" in Ashantee signifies both
" sleeping" and '* lying down"). Upon this he left us, and
for the first time for seven weeks we had the delight of
resting our weary limbs unchained.

As we approached Ashantee proper, we were struck by
the increasing fertility and richness of, the well-watered
country. In the vicinity of every important place the
roads were good, and sometimes for miles together, suit-
able for traffic. Near the entrance of each village, we
noticed jars, sticks, com, and eggs heaped up as an offer-

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46 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASEANTEE.

ing to the Fetish ; and the houses, whether scattered or in
groups, were mostly surrounded by palm and banana
gardens in picturesque variety ; sometimes they formed a
street, intersected by lanes and by-ways.

Retracing our steps on the following morning, we soon
found the right path, and reached a large village, where
some women pitying our suffering babe, supplied us with
eggs. At the next place, which was surrounded by banana
woods, the head man came forward to greet us, and as
usual, gave us our quarters in four rooms surrounding a
square court; Ageana of course chose the best. The
name of this village was Totorase, and we stayed there
ten days — days of deep grief they proved !

The next morning, July 31st, two slaves were de-
spatched to Coomassie to announce our near approach
(and as we subsequently heard), to tell the king of the
critical state of our child. As long as he had played or
seemed amused, they believed that we were hypocritically
trying to obtain dainties for ourselves, but now when it
was too late, they became impressed with the true state
of the case, and all except Ageana endeavoured to supply
him with better nourishment, and were even willing to
petition the king for a inilch cow.

The young queen of Sokoree, who now visited us,
richly adorned with gold and fetish cords, showed us a
good deal of sympathy. She offered her hand to each,
and afterwards kindly sent us some eggs, while the
people supplied us with fruit ; but these comforts came
too late to save our darling. His little wasted frame,
sharp features, and sunken eyes, will long remain as pain-
ful pictures i& our memory, and often it seemed as if he
were asking, " how long."

Each morning after taking his egg, we carried him to
the brook, and many a silent tear fell into the stream as
we bathed him. Then we would saunter up and down

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THE LITTLE ONE GOES HOME. 47

the beautiful banana gardens, singing simple hymns,
such as " I want to be an angel," " My Father waits for
me in Heaven," &c. How we shrank from the thought of
parting with our little treasure, increasingly dear as he
faded away, and earnestly did we plead that he might
yet be spared to us ; still we found comfort in the words
which lifted our hearts to the better land. Happily no
severe pain tried the fragile, worn-out body ; weakness
and intense thirst were his chief sufferings, making him
perpetually crave for drink, especially at night. One
day, the sun shining very strongly upon our garden walk,
we turned aside under the bananas, and the guard missing
us from the usual place, reported it to Ageana, who at
once ordered his son to fasten on our irons. Fortunately
Bobie the other soldier appeared, and when we explained
that we had only sought shelter for the child's sake, he
succeeded in getting our chains removed, but we were
peremptorily forbidden ever to take such a liberty again.
Meanwhile, the little fellow's weakness increased, and
the end was evidently at hand. At times he lay quite
still, but painful restlessness succeeded. Kind people
came constantly to inquire for him and offer sympathy,
while the queen brought eggs and tried to comfort us
with the assurance that if we saw the king, the child
would recover. When I begged some palm oil for a
night Ught, telling them he was dying, they still tried to
console us saying, " No, no, he must not die ; the king
will not allow it." Oh ! how hard it was to suppress the
bitter feelings which would rise against those who had
murdered this innocent babe by their cruelty ! To our
surprise he lived till morning, when his eyes brightened ;
he ate an egg with appetite, and even began playing with
the buttons on his mother's jacket^ which he had long
ceased to notice. This was only the last flickering of the
flame, he gave one more look of silent intensity, as if he

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48 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

wished to say, " good bye," and all was over. Precious
child, into whose brief span of life so much of suflTer-
ing was crowded ! Thou caUest to us, " do not forget
Ashantee;" and thy grave is a token that the healing
Cross shall one day reach that far off land.

When the people heard us praying they came to the
door of the room, and looked earnestly and sadly at the
corpse. After vainly seeking for some boards to make a
coffin, I begged our visitors to plait two baskets of palm
branches, one to serve as a shell, the other as a cover, and
here the precious tiny form was laid, covered with his
ragged clothing. Brother K. picked some flowers to put
in his hands, and according to the custom of the country,
a few mats and two yards of calico were sent by the
princess, a mark of sympathy which gratified and soothed
us in our grief. At four o'clock we laid him in a peaceful
grave, under beautiful banana trees, the usual burying-
place for children, only two hundred paces from our
house.

I had told the chief that I should be glad to see the
villagers at the grave, hoping to have the opportunity of
saying a few words to them ; but none of them appeared,
whether from fear or other reasons I cannot telL Even
our own people who followed me at first as I carried the
burden, soon halted and looked on from a distance. Only
two slaves stood beside us. When I had gently deposited
the little basket in its last resting place, I prayed in
German for grace and strength in this hour of darkness,
after which the slaves who had dug it, filled up the grave.
Oh, that when the trumpet sounds to call thee from thy
quiet rest, many who are now in heathen darkness may
rise with thee to the resurrection of life !

According to another custom of the country, the chief
now sent us a large pitcher of palm wine, and the people
used their utmost persuasions to make us drink, but we

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THE LITTLE ONE GOES HOME. 49

refused, aad sat down behind the house, pleading for
help to be enabled to say, " He hath done all things welL"
After an hour of quiet grief (during which Ageana had
been drinking with his friends, probably celebrating a
kind of " wake '*), we were summoned to meet the soldier
who had gone to Coomassie for the cow, and had returned
accompanied by an ambassador, wearing a large round
gold plate on his breast. They were followed by two
soldier boys bearing six ells of coloured doth, a third with
a sugar loaf in a brass plate on his head, and a fourth with
a stately ram. The king sent us greeting, and was grieved
to hear of the illness of our child ; a milch cow could not
be found, but the cloth he said would form a bed, and
the ram and sugar would be useful; he had also sent
some gold dust, in value about nine dollars, of which
Ageana took possession. He hoped we should be easy
and have patience, for in a short time we were to appear
before him, and be permitted to return to our own home.

We replied briefly that "the things had come too
late." The ambassador then endeavoured to comfort us
by assuring us of the friendship of the king, and his wish
that we should be sorrowful no longer. His kind words
found their way to our hearts, and the prospect of retun>-
ing to our work and to our brethren, prevented our
sleeping much that night

On Sunday, August 8th, we arose in a changed position ;
no longer slaves, but directing as masters the disposal of
our presents. The sheep we told the people to kill, and
distribute among the whole party according to rank.
" That's right," they answered, and then went off to the
slaughter, spoiling our Sunday's quiet by urging us to
be present at the cutting up. As may be supposed, little
remained for our own share, but we had the thanks
of many, and were now for awhile important persons.
Ageana in his new character of servant had become very

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60 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

obliging, offering us the gold dust, which we however
desired him to keep, to purchase for us what we needed,
regretting our folly when it was too late. The sugar was
also left in his care, and the cloth alone remained to us.

In the evening we visited our little grave, scattering a
few fruit stones on the mound, hoping by -and by to
plant some small shrubs to mark the resting place of our
first bom, and we meant often to repeat our visit, though
in this we were disappointed.

The Ashantee observances on occasions of death and
burial are precise and prolonged. We will briefly sketch
them.

When a rich man dies, his wives break out into cries of
lamentation, and then proceed to wash the corpse, adorn it
with pearls and gold, carefully paint it, put on its best
apparel, and then leave it as if asleep. Delicacies of all
kinds are presented by friends, and the dish the man most
enjoyed when living is prepared from slaughtered sheep
and fowls. His property is then placed round him, and
his pipe in his mouth. The wailing is occasionally inter-
rupted to permit his wives to press food upon him, or
to enquire his wishes, — ^the men meanwhile eat and drink
outside. The length of the wake depends upon the
rank of the deceased, and friends supply the needful ex-
pense. On the second or third day the corpse, in a basket
coffin, is taken out through a hole broken in the wall for
the purpose, for it may not pass through any door ; and
followed by its jewels and other property, it is placed in
the middle of the village, amid firing and doleful songs.
In the case of prominent persons, himian sacrifices are
offered, to accompany the departed on his long journey to
the spirit world, whUe food and palm wine are placed on
the grave for a set time (but eventually only once a year),
and thus the wake ends. With men of high rank, the
ceremony is sometimes repeated a second and a third time.

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TO DWABEN AND ABANKORO. 51

CHAPTER X.

TO DWABEN AND ABANKORO.

The king's messenger was preparing to return to Coom-
assie, so we charged him i^^dth thanks for the royal gifts,
and with a request for a comb and scissors to cut off our
hair, for reasons too unpleasant to mention, incident on
long neglect, and which prevented sleep.

Our stay at Totorase was now suddenly broken up, and
we were informed, to our great delight, that we were to
start for the capital. We paid a farewell visit to the
little grave, feeling that since our darling was gone, we
need no longer dread the hardships of the way. We were
also under the protection of the king's friendly messenger,
who treated us with respect, while our guides ceased
their arrogant and abusive demonstrations, and Ageana
himself did not dare oppress us, though he grumbled more
than ever. The road was good, and in an hour we
reached Sokoree, a custom-house station of Ashantee
proper, where it is necessary, for all travellers from the
interior, -to obtain official permission before proceeding
further. The princess of the place, who sent us a present
of palm wine, had gone to the next village, Afiguase,
where we found her after three quarters of an hour's walk.
The usual ceremonious salutations being over, we were
permitted to experience a great deal of kindness at her
hands ; and our friend, M. Bonnat, who visited her a few
weeks later, was cared for by this kind woman as if he
had been a relation of her own.

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52 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

We met with many plantation villages in this firuitful
plain, where com, rice, pisang, maize, yams, and ground
nuts abounded. About four o'clock we approached a
large town named Dwaben, and prepared ourselves for a
noisy reception. We soon reached a noble avenue of
trees, such as I had never before seen in Africa, and under
their glorious shade we entered a fine wide street, with
whitewashed, and two-storied houses. Of course we were
speedily surrounded by the entire population, the youthful
portion of which especially, hailed us with riotous excite-
ment, spite of all the remonstrances of the royal messenger.

We had already met with some specimens of the savage
female army, who in time of war dance twice a day through
the towns of Ashantee, with howls and shrieks uttered
for the benefit of their absent warriors. Our appearance
in Dwaben was the signal for a grand flourish on their
part ; no sooner did we appear in sight than these white
painted figures rushed forward to meet us, leaping and
gesticulating like maniacs, and brandishing their knives
amid unearthly yells. One of them waved her sword
full in the face of my wife, and then swept onward,
screaming fearfully.

In contrast to this frightful exhibition, we were
cordially received by the older men of the town, who
came to shake hands with us, and offered palm wine
to the detriment of Ageana's sobriety, who soon de-
clared, with drunken solemnity, that we must stay here
all night, as he could not bear to forego the honour of
exhibiting his prisoners. However, the benevolent mes-
senger interfered in our favour, being unwilling to expose
us any longer to the diabolical tumiilt that surrounded us,
and our leader was at length cempelled to yield after a
hot altercation, which ended in our being presented to
the king of Dwaben.

This potentate ranks next to the king of Ashantee, of

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TO DWABEN AND ABANKORO. 53

whom he is a relative, Dwaben being the second town in
the empire ; and though not so rich as his rival, the sub-
jects of this prince are more numerous. The story goes,
that long ago a king of Ashantep had two sons, to the
younger of whom (the child of a slave), he left his gold
and the throne of Ashantee, while the elder inherited his
swordand the throne of Dwaben. At a later period, the
throne of Ashantee was once saved by a king of Dwaben,
who intended, and almost succeeded in obtaining it for
himself, but finally fell a victim to the fortunes of civil
war, and was compelled for a long while to take refuge at
Akem. Rivalry and ill-feeling has not yet entirely died
out between the tribes.

Dwaben appeared to us better built and more imposing
than Coomassie, and it is also more cleanly kept The
buildings are quite picturesque, with their leafy coverings,
and many a pointed roof appears among the rows of
houses. ' The Dampans (small halls which open on the
streets), are raised four or five feet above the level of the
ground, and ornamented with pictures and rough frescoes,
done in white earth, on a background of reddish brown clay.

A messenger of the prince, distinguished by a gold
sword, from, which hung a large golden shell, now con-
ducted us to the palace, a richly ornamented building,
the broad gateway of which was surmounted by some
gold sandals. We entered a large court surrounded by
arched galleries, whence many curious eyes peered down
upon us. Several hundred courtiers were arranged in a
semi-circle, and in tlie centre of the display sat the king,
under a large tent umbrella, profusely ornamented with
gold and triangular amulets.

His majesty was a large stout man, with a number of
golden rings on his arms and legs, otherwise his appearance
was simple, and he made on us an impression of greater
dignily than the minor chiefs of the Coast had done. We

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54 MISSIONARY LIFE m ASHANTEE.

passed before the first group of court heralds, who wore
caps of monkey skin ; and then before the sword-bearers
and various inferior chiefs, after which, raising our hats
to his majesty, we retired and tasted some palm wine,
while Ageana and our people indulged in deep potations
of this beverage. After thanking the king and answering
a few simple questions, we were allowed to depart, and
the royal messenger succeeded in sheltering us in a quiet
plantation village for the night, whence on the following
day we proceeded to Abankoro.

Here we found a troop of women who were dancing
and singing wild songs, which increased in vehemence on
our approach. They naturally took us for prisoners of
war, and swung their fans in our faces with the maddest
gestures ; but the wife of the chief, who represented her
husband in his absence, welcomed us so cordially that we
forgot this unpleasing reception, little dreaming however,
that Abankoro was to be our abode for six long months,
for we were now only a moderate day's journey from the
capital where we had hoped soon to be liberated.

Abankoro is a well-built place, having a large street
which resembles a square, laid out with shady trees ; a
contrast to the poorer quarters, where the huts are pitched
about anyhow. Elevated on four poles at the end of the
village we met with a Fetish house, inside of which a
globe shaped mound of white earth marks the burial place
of a python snake, to which offerings of palm wine are
presented, being poured into a hollow at the top of the
grave. A carved human figure with a cloth cap and
sword in hand keeps watch in front, and a picturesque
group of palm trees forms a charming background to the
scene. While staying here I once met with a large snake,
upon whose life I was about to make an attempt when a
timely warning informed me that the creature was con-
sidered sacred, a^ a descendant of the enshrined python.

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TO BWABEN AND ABANKORO. 55

The quarters allotted to us were close by, and our opposite
neighbour was an Odonko negress, distipguished like the
rest of her race by several semicircular scars, reaching from
the temples to the comers of the mouth. This woman
had two children whom, to our frequent consternation,
she used to summon home with piercing shrieks from the
dangerous street. In another court lived a quiet wine
dealer, who was almost the only male in the place, for with
the exception of a few cripples and invalids, we had
met hitherto with scarcely any men. The wife of the
absent chief was the principal authority, and a stout
cunning little woman who turned out to be the Fetish
priestess, acted as her adviser. Our soldiers lodged at the
end of the village, so as to be as far as possible out of
Ageana's way, seeing they disliked him most heartily.

Before leaving us located here, the royal messenger
granted us permission to walk about and also to visit the
stream daily, which we felt an unspeakable privilege,
our sufferings for want of water to wash in having been
indescribable. We were all tormented by a painful erup-
tion of blisters, which gradually made its appearance all
over us, attributable doubtless to the unusual diet, which
our keepers persisted in peppering to such an extent,
that we often preferred starving to touching it. The
soldiers supplied us with a medicine which afforded some
temporary relief, but it was months before we succeeded
in overcoming this disease. Ageana continued to provide
us with only one midday meal, which was irregularly sup-
lied, and though the soldiers sent us occasional presents of
fufu, it was almost impossible to persuade them that a
morning or evening meal was at all necessary.

We were at first permitted to go alone to the brook, but
after a while it occurred to our guards that this was very
unbecoming conduct on our part, and thenceforth one of
the boys always accompanied us. The days passed

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66 MISSIONARY LIFE IN' ASHANTEE.

monotonously, and we almost despaired as to whether the
king ever meant to send for us at all, for our guards
appeared to have settled down permanently.

One night after we had retired, we were surprised by a
number of people suddenly crowding into the court, and
staring intently at us by the light of a dim lamp. It
transpired that they were the attendants of a prince who
was passing through Abankoro, and who called upon us
the next morning, richly dressed in silk and gold. Upon
his return journey a few days later, we implored him to
furnish us with a comb and scissors, which he promised to
send ; though a long time elapsed before his messenger
arrived with a little soap wrapped in leaves, an old comb,
and a small pair of scissors. How thankful we felt when
we could thus at length rid ourselves of the burden of
hair, which we had had no opportunity of combing for
ten months ! It is needless to add, that when Kwabena
ordered us the next day to give up the scissors, we
stoutly resisted his demand, and hid them away most
carefully.

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WITH M. BONNAT IN ABANKORO. 67

CHAPTER XL

WITH M. BONNAT IN ABANKORO.

On the 27th of August, a white man, accompanied by
two soldiers, suddenly entered our yard. He was sun-
burnt and in rags, He greeted us in French, and we
were indeed pleased to hear his sympathising words,
*' Madame, je vous plains !V

We soon learnt that our companion was a merchant
from Ho, where he had been taken prisoner by the
Ashantees, after the missionaries Homberger and Mliller
had escaped. His captors beheaded his two mulatto
assistants, who had been educated in Europe, then seized,
stripped, and tied him to a tree, when he was kept all
night, and witnessed the plundering and burning of the
station, saw the Ashantees tear the books, chop up the
harmonium, and throw away the coffee and flour. When
the bell fell from the burning chapel, they lifted and
brought it into the camp of Nantshi, Adu Bofo's first
officer, and thither M. Bonnat was also taken.

The pepple of Ho made an attempt to recover their town,
which so enraged the Ashantees that like angry children,
they destroyed all the mango and palm groves in the
neighbourhood. M. Bonnat at first expected to proceed
direct to Ashantee, but his attendants decided to settle
near us, and when they noticed Ageana's treatment of us
they began to imitate, and at last even excelled him, so
that our poor friend would have been really starved had
we not shared our pittance with him.

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58 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

Oar old leader had bought a little salt and some yams
with the money we had entrusted to his care in Totorase,
but very soon he declared that it was all gone, and in
reply to our demands would rage furiously, exclaiming,
" salt, salt, do you suppose I shall go to Akem, and fetch it
for you on my head." The broken wooden bowl which
held our food usually contained very thin pepper soup, in
which a few balls of fufu, and very occasionally a tiny
bit of meat were to be found. This was the day's pro-
vision for three people, and rather than beg some of the
slaves' food of our hard-hearted leader, we preferred to
appeal to the pity of the people around us.

Some of the good-natured women kindly gave us now and
then some fruit, but of course these gifts were irregular, and
there were days when we learnt what starvation meant.
We were therefore much cheered, on the 7th of October, by
the welcome news that the king had sent both us and M.
Bonnat, a sheep and a sua of gold dust. Of the latter we
should have heard nothing, for Ageana simply pocketed
it, had it not been that the soldiers claimed their part of
the booty, as they helped to provide us with food. There
was a hot altercation, and the matter being referred to
Coomassie, the old man was forced to give up half. M.
B.'s portion was given to his keeper, who squandered it in
a fortnight, and then told his prisoner that he had no
money to buy a little salt.

In comparing our adventures we soon learnt the history
of our new companion. Bom in the department of Ain,
he had early in life longed to see the world, and therefore
joined a Niger expedition in 1867. His ship was wrecked
in the first storm at sea on the coast of France. Provided
with another small vessel they reached the west coast of
Africa. Here M. B. separated fix)m his countrymen and
began to trade, with the assistance of his mulatto servants,
going further inland until he at length reached Ho. Here

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WITH M. BONNAT IN ABANKORO. 59

he purchased a quantity of cotton in exchange for cloth
and powder, and intended to send his goods to the coast.
The Ashantees were however approaching the place, and
the missionaries urged him to join in their flight, which
he refused to do, though he retired to the mission-house
with his servants, so as to avoid being involved in the
affairs of the town.

On the 25th of June the sound of drums ap-
proached, and red umbrellas were seen glancing in and
out among the coffee trees; while the closed doors and
shutters of the house were soon pierced by Ashantee
balls. M. B. was now dragged out of the window, and
his two men were beaten, tied together by the neck, and
executed. The next morning he was found by the
general Nantshi secured to a mango tree where he had
passed the night, and rebuking the soldiers, Nantshi
ordered food and clothing to be given him. His own
clothes having been stripped off the previous day, he was
now clad in man's and woman's dress. Plenty of food was
provided, and he was permitted to take what German
books he liked from the library. He chose one called
" The way of the Cross," the pictures in which were a com-
fort to him, though he confessed to us that hke the child
in the story, he often wished to cut off a portion of the
cross which he was himself called on to bear. During the
sally of the Ho people four of his captors stood over him
with long knives, undecided whether or not to kill him,
while the bullets whistled about the hut where he was
guarded. It was however finally resolved that he should
be sent under strict guard to Coomassie. He believed that
he owed the indulgence of never wearing irons on the
journey to the report of our blameless conduct.

M. B. brought with him a scrap of butter, which im-
parted a great rehsh to our roasted pisangs, and he knew
also how to extract vinegar from the half rotten bananas

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60 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

which were sometimes given us. We soon became great
friends, and he brightened our dreary life with all sorts
of clever inventions. One day he joyfully led into our
presence a young man who had addressed him in English
in the street — this was a Fantee from Coomassie, whose
master, a prince Ansa^ lived there. Whilst we were
talking Opoku entered, and sharply asked what the
stranger was doing here, whilst Ageana gave orders to
have him placed in irons. Opoku now hurried off with
a soldier to Coomassie, but returned rather crestfallen
the next day, and the old man who seemed to think he
had done a very fine thing, was ordered at once to set
his prisoner free.

On the 21st of October, brother K met another man
who spoke English, and who had come fram Cape Coast,
and had brought letters and some champagne for the
king. From this, the first news which had reached us
from that quarter, we concluded that some negotiations
in which we might also be interested were in process
between the king and the European officials. This idea
received confirmation when on the next day a greeting
reached us from his majesty, accompanied by the present
of an ox. I should however add, that this ox had
refused to approach any nearer than the next village,
and was thus condemned to be slain there.

It also appeared that this obstinate animal had not
possessed several of the organs with which oxen are
usually endowed, for the fore-quarters which reached us
in a basket next morning, were painfully shorn of their
natural proportions. Ageana appropriated one leg, gave
another to M. B., and a third to us, while the fourth he
put a^ide, remarking that he would buy salt with that,
the rest was distributed between the wife of the chief, the
Fetish priestess, and many other "friends " whose multi-
plicity we had never guessed before. Our landlady

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WITH M. BONNAT IN ABANKORO. 61

claimed the head as her share, but finally ceded the
tongue to us.

As Ageana and the soldiers could not eat beef, they
only wanted to obtain favour by giving it away. Every
Ashantee avoids eating some particular kind of food in
honour of his Fetish, thus one touches no beef, another
avoids snails, and a third cannot taste fish, &c. Many
drink no pahn wine on Tuesdays, others refrain on
Fridays, all being regulated according to the taste or
rule of their respective idols. The king for instance
denies himself beef, and takes no pahn wine on Tuesdays ;
and our old man being unable to enjoy our store, cooked
it most unwillingly, and managed to spoil a good deal
of it

However, in his reports to the governor, the king
boasted of the splendid liberality with which he was
treating us. He also appeared to have heard of our
obstinate eruption, and so far pitied us as to forbid our
being employed in menial work-
One November night we were aroused from our sleep
by tremendous knocking, and the entrance of some mys-
terious looking men from Coomassie. They carried
lighted torches, and whispered among themselves so as to
excite our suspicions of. a cruel death, but we soon
noticed that Ageana's wife was weeping, and felt sure her
tears would not fall for us, so we dismissed our fears,
and found in the morning that it was the death of the
district chief, which had thus been announced, and six
days later his funeral festival was celebrated. Two
slaves were brought from Coomassie, with ropes round
their necks, and with a knife stuck through the cheek of
each to prevent noise and cursing. Eight other unfor-
tunates were killed at the same time. This incident will
give some idea of the sad way in which our life was
varied.

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62 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

The people around us in Abankoro would not, or per-
haps could not, give us any idea of the fate intended for
us. The few words we sometimes caught of what they
said, only misled us, and they would answer no questions.
Our food was so insufficient, that we were glad to cook
wild cabbage, and eat it without salt. We could some-
times pluck a little fruit in addition.

It was now December, in the middle of which month
a wind called the Harmattan began to blow. Had we
been at home we should have welcomed the agreeable
temperature thus produced, but with only a thin cotton
sheet as a covering, we suffered so severely from cold,
that we were repeatedly attacked with high fever.

We had complained to the king of the lamentable state
of our clothes, and that our boots were just a few tatters
of leather. Oh, the sadness which filled our hearts, as in
this piteous plight, we saw the glorious festival of Christ-
mas approaching! The natives, who keep an annual
celebration at this time, had already held it ; and during
their wild festivities, a death occurred. A coffin was
brought through our village, followed by the victims led
in chains, who were to be sacrificed in honour of the de-
parted. With feelings of deep grief, we sat under the
shade of the trees, thinking of the blessed time our fciends
at home, and our brethren at the mission station, were en-
joying. Had we in those dreary days only possessed a
copy of God*s Word, how we should have hailed it as an
ever present friend. As it was, we solaced ourselves by re-
peating verses from the Psalms and the Prophets, and yet
we often felt so poor — so lonely !

But after all, we too were to have our Christmas gift
On the evening of December the 24th, a procession from
a neighbouring village approached, bringing us a large
supply of yams, bananas, bread, etc., a most welcome and
grateful surprise. Nor were we forgotten at the New

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WITH M. BONNAT IN ABANKORO. 63

Year, for on January the 6th, 1870, a soldier, accompanied
by a royal messenger, returned from Coomassie, with a
few articles of clothing from Sokoree — ^a shirt and trousers
for K., with a boot and slipper, and much the same for
my wife. She also received two needles and some thread,
so that she could now appear dressed as a woman ; and
Ageana advised her to hold her dress up higher. She
became the object of universal admiration, and the im-
proved appearance of our entire party in our new costumes
gave rise to the boastful exclamation among our com-
panions, " The king gave it them ! " ♦

Our stay at this place came to an unexpected termina-
tion in this way. Salt is rare and expensive in Ashantee,
a handful costing four pence, and it is not generally
supplied to slaves. We had found it necessary to enter
on numerous altercations with Ageana, who wished to force
us to do without it, which we persistently refused at the
risk of being starved, and begged to refer the matter to
the king. Two messengers were thus dispatched to
court, who after a month re-appeared, bringing not only
a load of salt and a fine ox, but also bearing a message
that the king ordered our removal to another village.
Full of appreheiasion and wonder we prepared for the
change, which was most unwelcome to our guards and
the villagers. The ambassadors however enforced instant
obedience, and we hastened to depart, Ageana complying
with the royal command with evident reluctance, in
which we could not share.

* It may be a matter of surprise that we were enabled to keep coant
of time. This is explained by the fact, that the Ashantees reckon with
weeks of the same duration as ours. We always noted the first Sunday
in each month, together with other events of importance, by scratching
memoranda with scissors npon an empty milk can, which was oar
drinking vessel, and the only ntensil in oor possession.

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64 mSSIONART LIFE IN ASEANTEE.

CHAPTER XIL

IN ASOTSCHE.

Ok the 15fch of February we once more recognised in our
forest home the well known sound of ** Forward." Our
sullen old leader was alive again, and we prepared for a
march, longer or shorter as tiie case might be.

After an hour we reached an irregularly-built village of
some size, where we were introduced to the wife of the chief
and some aged elders, one of whom showed us into several
good houses belonging to himself An ox was soon slain
and distributed with some salt, which act of generosity was
deeply felt and acknowledged.

Our position was here much improved. Not only did the
villagers try to outvie each other in kindness, but the son of
the chief took a lively interest in "the white people," and
stood our friend when needful Presents of fruit, eggs, rice,
and onions were brought us fix)m five different villages, and
an excellent dish of fufu was daily supplied from the
elders' table.

In Abankoro there were only women, and our old
leader could abuse us to his heart's content ; here there
were plenty of kindly-disposed men. Our soldiers who
had feasted luxuriously in their former quarters be-
sought us to return, but we assured them we were
perfectly contented as we were. One of our privileges we
greatly valued — ^we were aUowed to live separate from
our escort, and were permitted to distribute for ourselves
the presents we received. Our hearts were also made
glad by the frank way in which these villagers assured us

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IN ASOTSGHE. 65

that we should be taken to Coomassie when Adu Bofo
returned ; though if we asked when the army was ex-
pected they invariably replied, " In about two months."

It was here that the first opportunity was ofiered us of
showing kindness, by befriending a little orphan boy
about five years old, whom we observed creeping about
unnoticed and reduced to a skeleton. He could not
speak, and was regarded as an idiot ; but when he saw
my wife bringing him food, he would cry for joy. Our
kindnesa to this little sufferer astonished the people.
" They are God's children," was the exclamation, which
opened the way for me to tell them of His love — not quite
in vain, for one woman actually went so far as to wash the
poor little dirty fellow more than once — ^an act of singular
compassion in an Ashantee. At length death put an end
to the sufferings of this touching type of vast numbers of
neglected little ones, who thus perish in this dark land 1

In due time we were not only allowed to bathe twice
daily, but to walk about freely. On one of our excur-
sions we noticed a small piece of paper not larger than
our hand. The sight filled us witii delight ; it seemed
more precious than gold. It had come from Europe — it
had been manufactured by white hands ; and, oh ! could
we not employ ours, thought we? The idea gave us fresh
spirit, we cut palm branches in the wood and wove them
together, and in due time our handicraft had made such
progress, th|it we had mats of our own manufacture to
sleep on. But spite of these little encouragements our
depression was often great. Brother K. grew fearfully
thin, so that our soldiers procured medicine and better
food for him — but his appetite was gone. They went to
tell the king, and returned with a promise, never ful-
filled, of eggs and chickens to tempt the sick man.

One day as we sat weaving our mats, an ambassador
from the court appeared, with three sedan chairs, and

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66 MISSIOHTART LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

orders that we were to proceed immediately to Coomassie,
to the great astonishment of our leaders, one of whom
called out '* The king loves you much."

Old Ageana was thunderstruck that the chairs should
be sent for his slaves, and tremblingly faltered out — " The
king wishes it, you must go to him."

To us, who had resigned ourselves to the agonizing
thought of being destined to adorn the triumphal entry
of the returning conqueror, this was indeed a wondrous
surprise. It was in vain we tried to imagine what had
caused the change, and deeply touched, we could only
render thanksgiving and praise to our gracious God.

Early in the morning of April the 22nd, we put our
few things together, took leave of the friendly villagers,
and mounted our sedan chairs. M. B., for whom none had
been sent, took his place on a bearer's shoulders, a mode
of travelling common to chiefs, and even kings in this
land ; but he found it so tiring as to prefer using his own
feet the best part of the way. When however we passed
a village, he had to mount, that it might be seen how the
king honoured his white men. We dined and rested in
our old quarters at Abankoro; and now times had changed
with us, we were greatly admired as elevated people.

Our afternoon ride was along a beautiful road, and
towards evening we were near Coomassie, but were
carried aside to a little village, in the centre of which,
under a large shady tree, a group of mahomedans were
sitting, in their picturesque fashion. Descending, we
entered a house, wherfe we were evidently expected, and
were informed by the owner, that the king had ordered
dwellings to be given us. We were then conducted by a
side path through bushes, to a little clearing on the
borders of the forest, where we found two miserable fresh
grass huts, as our future quarters, and yet we were only
half-an-hour's distance from Coomassie.

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BEFORE THE KINO. 67

CHAPTEE XIIL

BEFORE THE KING.

A VIOLENT thunderstorm during the night, depriving us
of sleep, and obliging us to sit close together in the
centre of our lonely hut, greatly chilled the sanguine
hope of the past day.

But in the early morning the arrival of a sheep and
yams from the king shewed us he felt some interest in
us, and as we had fasted long, this was indeed a welcome
gift. Two bottles of sweet liquor came later on in the
day. Our next incident was a visit to an adjoining
village (Duru by name), where a number of chiefs, richly
attired and covered with ornaments, waited to receive us.
We made our obeisance to this semi-circle of dignitaries,
and then sat on chairs provided for us. The whole com-
pany at once rose to return our salutations, on which our
people humbly remarked, " This is the nobility of Coo-
massie." This introductory ceremony completed, the
grandees went into a house, and commanded us to follow.
During their long conference, we stood waiting till they
permitted us to be seated. We were then addressed by
one of them in the following words : —

" Adu Bofo has sent you to the king. He says you are
good men — translate to us this letter." He then produced
from a cloth, in which it had been carefully wrapped, an
open German letter addressed to us, endorsed on the
outside, " Shew this letter to no one, or it will cost the
bearer his life." It was from David Asante, a native mis-

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68 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASEANTEE.

sionary educated at Basle, and as we thought of the
messenger we shuddered.

The contents ran thus —

" Much beloved brethren, — ^We have taken all possible
pains since your captivity to effect your deliverance.
Twice have we sent messengers to the Ashantee camp
offering money for your release, but in vain. I have been
sent to Begoro, on the frontier of Akem, to try and come
into communication with you, as up to the present time
we have only heard of you by reports. I give the bearer
a pencil, paper, and scissors, that you may write ; or if
that is not possible, send some of your hair, as an as-
surance that you are still alive."

Further on signs were mentioned, through which we
were to make ourselves understood to the bearer without
words; but he had either been captured, or from fear
delivered the letter to the king. We thought it best to
keep simply to the truth, and translated the letter ver-
batim. After hearing it they rose, and giving us their
hands, permitted us to return to our seclusion in the wood.
But who can describe the feelings of our hearts upon
hearing from those so dear to us after a silence of ten
months. We now understood why we had been brought
so near the capital, and we perceived that the mention of
ransom had made a deep impression ; for, as the courtiers
remarked, " the king loves money."

After an interval of two days, we were smnmoned to
the village to receive a present of food from the queen
mother, which was followed by another ox from the king.
In acknowledging these gifts, I sent them word that our
supply of salt was exhausted, and we immediately re-
ceived another load, so that we were now, by comparison,
living in comfort. We afterwards heard the reason of
this unusual liberality. It seems Adu Bofo was just then
in a very embarrassing position, and it was thought we

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BEFORE THE KING. 69

might favourably influence the British Government. On
the 3rd of May, an assembly of chiefs was convened, and
we were desired to answer David's letter with the pen
and paper he had sent, but were told that our letter must
take the form of an address, now going off, to the " King
of Europe." After much perplexity, we ascertained that
the Dutch governor of Elmina, was the person to be thus
honoured.

The sense of our epistle ran thus : — " According to the
laws of the Ashantee country, the king has no power to
set prisoners at liberty till the general who captured
them returns." It was furthermore mentioned, that
" news had reached Coomassie of the general's way being
stopped by a force that had been sent from Akra, Krobo,
Akem, and Akwapem, to hinder his retreat. The king
had despatched reinforcements to his aid, from several
different districts, and it was now demanded of the Dutch
governor, that he should request the English commandant
to allow the general to retire without fear of hostile
attack; otherwise, our release would be refused." We
were commanded to send with the letter, a lock of our
hair, however unnecessary it might seem to us.

As it was intended that our friends should read this
letter, we asked leave, to give them some personal tidings,
and were told we might communicate to them the loss
we had suffered in the removal of our dear child.

The next episode in our experience was a message to
prepare us for a speedy introduction to the great king,
but in the evening of the same day, we were informed
that a pair of gold sandals having been stolen from the
palace, the feelings of his majesty were too much excited
to permit him to give us audience. A few days later,
however, a chamberlain arrived at our abode prepared to
accompany us to the presence of this mighty potentate.
My wife being very poorly was allowed to mount the

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70 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

chamberlain's chair, while we walked by her side. The
distance was in itself very short, but they delight to
conduct strangers by circuitous routes. Men bearing
swords hurried up and down the broad avenues of palm
trees, with an air of great importance, while drums were
beaten, and horns blown. The melee was indescribable ;
mahomedans in their long robes were strutting about,
minutely inspecting us as we passed onward to the
beautiful square in front of the king's villa (called Aman-
chia).

Here in the middle of a brilliant circle, shaded by noble
palms, sat his majesty of Ashantee, fanned by pages, and
surrounded by interpreters and chiefs. A crowd of about
three thousand people were seen assembled at a distance.
Each chief was shaded by a bright coloured umbrella,
some twelve feet in diameter, the points of which were
ornamented with carved and gilded elephants, pelicans,
apes, and human heads ; both the king and the chiefs had
numerous attendants. The scene was really imposing
and very picturesque, and from time to time was animated
by sounds of wild music. We were presented while
waiting, with two jars of palm wine, and three bottles
of gin, after which two fresh sword-bearers appeared on
the scene.

One of these in full uniform was a wonderful figure.
He carried the royal sword, in a sheath made of leopard's
skins, while hung around him were the rest of his
majesty's arms — ^his cartridge-box, knife, personal orna-
ments for his neck, arms, and feet, and his cap, with a
beautiful, fan-shaped tuft of eagle's feathers, each article
glittering with gold. This official was to conduct us into
the immediate presence of his sovereign, so we formed a
procession. First walked a few of our people, then Mr.
K. and M. Bonnat, my wife and I followed, and a few
soldiers brought up the rear. We stepped along the semi-

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BEFORE THE KIFG. 71

circle, bowing as we went to the king in the centre, and
removing our hats (even my wife's). These salutations
were responded to by a friendly nod.

Our march finished, we sat and received in our turn
the greetings of this high and mighty assembly. All
rose, the horns blew, the jubilant cry resounded louder
than the drum, as the grandees approached us with
measured steps. The inferiors preceded, then the great
men shaded by their umbrellas, and surrounded by their
pages, saluted us as they passed by, each raising the
hand. In front of the principal chiefs marched boys,
adorned with elephant's or horse's tails, and carrying
drums made of the trunks of trees, and horns adorned by
human jaws. A few of them had elephant's tusks
hollowed out, and emitting a sound surpassing aU others
in strength and clearness, each musician trying to honour
us by producing their loudest and shrillest tones, as they
passed us. The chiefs were arrayed in silk, or the bril-
liantly embroidered cloth of the country ; every individual
wore his handsomest jewels, especially his massive gold
plate on his breast, his carved seat being carried on the
head of an attendant, who was followed by soldiers
bearing his arms.

After a number of such personages had passed, the great
monarch himself approached. He was heralded by some
eighty individuals, each wearing a cap of monkey's skin,
adorned by a golden plate, and each holding his seat in
his hand. Then came the dwarfs and buffoons in red
flannel shirts, with the officials of the harem ; there were
also sixty boys, every one of whom wore a charm sewn up
in leopard's skin, with written scraps from the koran,
which were highly valued; this train was followed by
five tastefully carved royal chairs, hung round with gold
and silver bells, and richly ornamented with jewels, but
all black, being stained with the blood of human sacrifices.

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72 MISSTONART LIFE IN ASUANTEE.

Next, under an enormous silk sunshade, appeared the
actual throne chair, encased with gold, and with long
golden pipes carried behind it, as well as various wonder-
ful vessels and articles of vertu. A peculiar music was
heard rising above the sound of the horns and the beating
of the drums. This was produced by some thirty wild-
looking boys, each of whom swung, as he marched, a
calabash half-filled with stones. This din was anything
but agreeable to a European ear, though the performers
kept marvellously good time.

Still larger umbrellas and fans now approached, pre-
ceded by a corps of a hundred executioners dancing, whose
ages varied from boys of only ten years to grey-headed old
men; all wore leopard skin caps, and had two knives
slung from their necks. The dismal death drum, whose
three beats were heard from time to time, closed the
procession.

Now the music became wilder and louder, the ivory
horns sounded shriller, the screaming and howling sur-
passed all description. Led by an attendant under a
magnificent sunshade of black velvet, edged with gold,
and kept in constant motion, the royal potentate appeared.
Boys with sabres, fans, and elephants' tails danced around
him like imps of darkness, screaming with all the power
of their lungs, " He is coming, he is coming. His majesty
the lord of all the earth approaches !" The boys then
retired that the king might be able to look well at us,
and enjoy the intensity of his happiness. Golden sandals
adorned his feet ; a richly ornamented turban was on his
head; his dress was of yellow silk-damask; his hands
and feet glittered with gold bracelets and bangles. Half
a dozen pages held him by the arms, back, and legs, like
a little child, crying continually, "Look before thee, O
lion ! take care, the ground is not even here."

Kari-Elari is a man who really impresses you, still

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BEFORE THE KING. 73

young and of middle stature, but well buUt — ^his face,
though somewhat marked with small-pox, bears the stamp
of a powerful, yet beneficent king, and his whole appear^
ance gives the impression of a soul capable of great deeds.
There was no look of cruelty, and I no longer fdt anxious
about my wife. He remained standing before us for a
few moments, in some degree of astonishment, for I sup-
pose we were the first white people he had ever seen ; in
our patched and torn garments, which a beggar in our
country would have disdained, and with our toes peeping
through our shoes, we encountered the gaze of this mighty
monarch, who at length waved his hand kindly to us,
and passed on, his long procession of attendants following.

At this juncture, we were told to stand up and thank
the " nena," or queen-mother, the most influential person
at court, for presents she had lately sent us ; she was pro-
tected from the sun by large fans, embroidered with
coloured silk held round her by court ladies, and wore a
gorgeous dress, with a silk scarf thrown over her
shoulders. She was a stout energetic old lady, and re-
turned our greeting with a good-natured smile. The
procession, after lasting an hour and a half, ended with a
number of officers and others; and we departed more
light-hearted than we had arrived. The excitement had
done my wife good, her indisposition had disappeared,
and we all looked with new hope to the future. We
tasted the palm wine, but found it so strong that we
divided it amongst our people, and the " friends " who
crowded around us.

On May 25th, we received from the king a couple of
sheep, and an old pair of Dutch military shoes, accom-
panied by a pair of boots for Mrs. R., of English make,
and the finest leather. They had been presented by the
Wesleyan missionary Freemen in 1842, to the reigning
sovereign, and inscribed on the soles in gilt letters were

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74 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

the following words : — *' To his Royal ffighness, Quakoo
Dooah, King of Ashantee, West Africa." They had never
been worn, and though time and insects had made their
acquaintance, they were still in serviceable condition.

Thus had a covering for my wife's feet been prepared
for her thirty years before, and this circumstance gave us
a fresh assurance that our God would still provide for her.

I will now describe the king's return visit : — ^We were
one afternoon sunmioned to the chief of Duru, and on
entering the courtyard, after politely saluting him, we
observed a man of sallow complexion, in a shabby
European dress. He rose, offered his hand, and said to
us in English, " That we had no doubt often heard of
him, that he was sorry to find us in such a posi-
tion, that he was himself detained at Coomassie, but
daily hoping to be allowed to return to the Coast." He
added, " that he and the brethren in Coomassie had for a
long time mentioned us in their prayers." This was not
all said consecutively, but in the course of conversation ;
and while we were wondering whether he was an
English envoy or an agent of the slave trade, he told us
that we were in the presence of the king. The latter had
observed us from the ante-room of the chief, and was so
amused that he laughed aloud. Chairs were then brought
us, and the king asked us how we were, and in what
manner we had been taken prisoners.

He looked serious when we told him we had been put
in irons, and seemed not to know that we had been
plundered. A word escaped him which sounded like
" they shall repent of it ; " before we took leave we asked
him if he could let us have a Bible through " the prince,"
as we had now been without the Word of God for almost
a year. Great was our joy when by permission of the
sovereign " the prince " promised to send us a copy of
this precious volume.

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BEFORE THE KING. 75

The king did not speak much, but remarked that we
were not quite white, which was true enough. We ex-
plained this as the effect of exposure to the sun, and
opened our dress that he might see the white skin be-
neath. After he had left, we naturally thought much of
" the brother," or " the prince," who had spoken English
to us, and wondered who he was. Judging by his
colour, we thought he might be an ambassador from the
Dutch governor of Elmina; anyway, that would be
proved if he really sent us an English Bible.

To our great joy, after three days, the much longed for
treasure was placed in our hands — ^a New Testament
with the Psalms, accompanied by a few old numbers of
Wesleyan missionary notices. The bearer was a young
christian from Cape Coast, and who can imagine the de-
light with which we grasped the coveted volume, or how
we thanked God for that, which we now knew so well
how to prize, yea far better than before we had been so
long without it.*

* In an old treaty of peace between the British government and the
king of Ashantee, it was stipulated that the heir to the throne should be
educated in England, but as the heir then living was too old to learn,
two of the king's nephews, Ansa and Kwantabisa, came in 1836 to
England in his place, Ansa being then twelve years old. These
princes were well educated and treated with the honour due to their
rank.

In 1841, they returned to Africa with a pension, granted to them by
Queen Victoria, of £100 a year each. Kwantabisa died at Cape Coast,
but prince Ansa received bis allowance till within three years. For
some time he had been engaged in the Wesleyan mission, and was finally
ordained as a missionary. In 1867, he was sent by the colonial govern-
ment to Coomassie, upon the news of Kwakoo Dooah's death, and he
had there been detained till now.

This was the beginning of our acquaintance with the converted
Ashantee prince, John Owusu Ansa, a man to whom we owe the deepest
gratitude, and who seemed to have been expressly sent to Coomassie, to
prove a messenger of grace for us during our long triaL

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76 lilSSIONART LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

CHAPTER XIV.

EBENEZiHL

In the joy of our hearts, and in deep thankfubiess for His
mercy and grace in looking on our afflictions, we gave to
our nest in the wood the name which signifies, "The
Lord has helped us." Drawbacks and disagreeables were
not wanting, but our position was now endurable; we
were well supplied with food by the king, though, through
the many who had to share it, our own was still but a
meagre portion. Our attendants had become civil and
obliging, and the visits of the grandees impressed them
with an idea of our importance.

We will here describe one of these visits, which occurred
on the 20th of May. Its hero was no less a person than
Bosommuru, a chamberlain, who on his entrance desired
our people to retire, and produced my confiscated watch,
with a piece of embroidered cloth, seeming to think the
two had some connection; perhaps on account of the
price-ticket attached to the cloth. His object was just to
get an explanation of the watch, not as one might have
hoped, to return the article to myself.

With the usual vicissitudes attendant on a condition
like ours, in the hands of a barbarous sovereign, we shortly
after this suffered a sudden diminution in our supplies,
our soldiers declaring that the purse was empty. This
being reported to his majesty, twenty-seven dollars were
forwarded in gold dust, and soon after he paid us another
visit, the object of which appeared to be simply a firiendly

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EBENEZER. 77

call on his white men. He took his place on this occasion
in the centre of the village, on a bench formed of palm
branches, under a roof of leaves, with about sixty people
sitting before him.

Forgetful of courtly etiquette, for "necessity has no
law," I took this opportunity of laying aside my coat,
and, with an exclamation, ** Oh king ! I pray thee look
here," I showed him my uncovered back, and the
remains of my tattered shirt. The Ashantee custom of
giving presents liberally at the outset to gain a good
name, had caused reports to reach us from the coast, that
we had been overladen with gifts. . We had certainly
received another ox, but the present was accompanied by
a swarm of bees, in the shape of a motley crowd, furnished
with knives and sacks, to cut and carry away the spoil,
so that we had difficulty in securing a moderate
portion for our own share, and could hardly spare enough
to dry some slices, and make a few sausages well seasoned
with pepper for future use. Later on, a year passed *
without any gift whatever.

I have mentioned two huts erected for our use. One
of those was occupied by our keeper Ageana, the other
by ourselves. 'M. Bonnat at first slept in the village, but
spent his days with us. In due time Ageana built a
third hut, and allowed M. B. the use of the one he
forsook, which was then shared with Opoko. The latter
worthy was afflicted with a contagious eruption, so M.
Bonnat contrived a wall of rushes, and in his own divi-
sion was kept our dried meat and sausages. It was a
dainty apartment for a store-room, and alas! it was open
to thieves, who carried away so much as to alarm us.

Upon this, M. Bonnat's diplomatic talents came to our
aid. He actually succeeded, though not without some
painful resistance, in inducing Opoko to find other quar-
ters, and make room for Mr. K. in his place. Having

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78 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

proceeded thus far in separating ourselves from our black
attendants, we set to work to construct bedsteads with
sticks and pahn branches, forming string from banana
fibre. With a little wooden hook, which I had cut as an
implement, my wife made a pocket, a hat for herself, and
a cap for me, while I succeeded in manufacturing a work-
table for her, and a dining table for general use, from
plaited rushes. The ingenuity of M. Bonnat greatly
aided us in our various manufactures, which gave a deep
interest to our secluded life.

As we had now the privilege of a daily ablution in a
neighbouring stream, our health quickly improved, but
our clothing alas! as rapidly decayed, and indeed was
in the last stage of existence, when a quantity of common
calico arrived, out of which M. Bonnat and my wife
managed to construct a woman's dress, and a suitable
garment for the other three of us.

On July 6th, the king again called, his retinue accom-
panying him, some of them carrying a brass dish, on
which was his fetish, as a protection from evil spirits.
He took his seat under the palm tree, asked a few ques-
tions, and spoke with the people about us and our dress.
Prince Ansa was with him, who brought us a letter
from David Asante, and petitions from Mr. Ramseyer's
family, and from the senior missionary, Wiedmann. We
read and translated these papers, which were all open —
though this had already been done by prince Ansa, who
was desired to write in reply, that we should be set at
liberty as soon as Adu Bofo returned. At our request
we were each of us allowed to enclose a small pencilled
note in the king's letter.

Although the question of our liberty was still in abey-
ance, we could perceive that the king's feelings were
friendly, though we continued to be treated as under suspi-
cion. One of the pencils sent by David was left with us,

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EBENEZER. 79

but not a scrap of paper, and private conversation with the
prince was impossible. We however managed to note
the most important facts on the fly-leaf of our Testament.

Two days later we were again instructed to write to
our brethren, David and others, telling them they might
send to the king umbrellas, salt, liquors, silk materials,
&c. This we gladly agreed to do, only reminding his
majesty that Mr. Wiedmann was not a merchant, but
would procure the goods if money were sent, and this we
promised in .our letter should be done. We added a
word of petition for necessary clothing for ourselves.

On July 12th we were again before the king, as he sat
under the palm-trees, when the cry of the eunuch sounded
in the distance, announcing the approach of the royal
wives. The men disappeared in an instant, and we stepped
aside, knowing the penalty incurred by any man who
even by accident sees one of these ladies ;* but we were
soon recalled, and beheld fourteen women, surrounded by
little boys, sitting on the right hand of the king. Some
of them were very beautiful, others ugly enough. They
were not grandly dressed, and their only ornaments were
rows of coral beads. They stared at us with unfeigned
curiosity, while the attendant cried out constantly, " Ho !
Ho !" Their heads, like those of other Ashantee women,
were closely shaven, with the exception of a tuft of hair
on the left side and a few small circles round it.

Our usual petition for salt was preferred again on this oc-
casion, and on the 24th of July we received a beautiful pre-
sent of fruit, vegetables, flour, sugar, &;c.,&;c., from the ladies.
On the 25th a load of salt arrived, with an intimation -that,

* On one occasien a Wesleyan missionary met the wives of the king
accidentally on his morning ride. He was at once dragged from his
horse by the ennuch and shamefully treated. He complained to Quakoo
Dooah, who ordered the execution of the eunuch, as the missionary was
a white man and a stranger; but on the missionary's intercession he was
banded over to corporal punishment instead.

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80 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

as it was so costly, it must be sparingly used. Upon this
we mentioned that the half was always claimed by our
guards ; thus provoking the wrath of Ageana to such a
fearful degree that I took up a thin piece of wood and
wrote a few words with my pencil to Bosommuru, begging
him to come and say a word to the old man, who, on
seeing us hand the writing to the bearer of the salt,
thought it best to cease his abuse.

The king himself came over in a few days, and was not
a little surprised, like the South Sea Islanders, that a
piece of wood could speak. He ordered Ageana to be
called, who at first denied the offence, but at length
pleaded guilty, and received a severe rebuke, with orders
that for the ftiture he and his people should treat us welL
He was glad to get off so easily, and his outward conduct
improved, though he gave no evidence of real kindness of
feeling. I then told the king of the wretched condition
of our huts, causing us to be drenched by every shower.
A court official was sent to inspect them, and the village
chief was ordered to repair them, but they were not made
water-tight.

On the 14th, Bosommuru, through whom we had com-
munication with the court, brought us a letter from the
missionaries, Schrenk and Eisenschmidt, with a chest
containing some personal necessaries, and a most welcome
supply of paper. A present for the king, which had been
enclosed, never reached us ; a piece of stuff too, which
had been sent for ourselves, so pleased him that he sent
to enquire the price, and we thought it best to give it,
whereupon we received a sheep in return, and a sua of gold
dust, which, alas ! were taken possession of by our people.

There was one remark in the letter of our breth-
ren which distressed us, namely, that they would not
be able to continue this connection with us fjx)m Be-
goip. We concluded they were acting thus, under the

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EBENEZER. 81

direction of the British governor. Still, as a decided im-
provement had taken place in our position, we tried to
hope that all would be well when Adu Bofo returned,
and we were now at liberty to go to the village when-
ever we pleased. On one of these visits, Mr. K., ac-
companied by our soldiers, observed in a yard more
than a hundred prisoners from Krepe, men, women, and
children, all living skeletons, and infants on their mothers'
backs, starving for want of their natural nourish-
ment.

In the afternoon we were summoned to the presence of
the king, who had come to visit these prisoners. Array-
ing ourselves in court attire, viz., the xmder drawers which
Mr. Schrenk had sent us, we hastened \j6 present our-
selves, and were pleasantly received by his majesty on
his usual seat beneath the palms. The prisoners were
assembled in groups on the open space, surrounded by
baskets of maize, com, native bread and yams, which
they devoured with their eyes, as loaf by loaf it was
distributed.

As we gazed on this mass of misery, my wife noticed a
poor, weak child, who was commanded in angry tones to
stand straight. The little fellow tried to obey, and pain-
fully drew himself up, showing the shrunken frame in
which every bone was visible. This reminded her so
vividly of our own lost darling that she burst into tears.
The king inquired the reason, and on hearing it, re-
marked, " this does not concern you ; God will give you
another child ;'* yet perceiving the sight distressed us, he
permitted us to leave, and in the evening sent us some
palm wine to restore our spirits. With what thankful
hearts did we compare his considerate treatment of us
with the misery of these poor creatures now about to be
separated from each other. We could only hope they
would find merciful masters.

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82 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASEANTEE.

The king mentioned this occurrence to prince Ansa,
expressing his surprise at my wife's emotion. "We
black people," replied the prince, " have hard hearts, and
can behold misery unmoved ; it is not so with the whites ;
such a spectacle wounds them deeply." Soon after this,
we one day carried our fufu to the poor imprisoned
children, but found to our disappointment the king
already in the village, engaged in separating the prison-
ers. Our soldiers sprang forward to drive us back ; we
hid behind a hedge, and entreated them to take the food
themselves to the children, whereupon the dish was
shown to the- king, who uttered an exclamation of sur-
prise, but desired that our wishes should be fulfilled, and
soon after sent us a sheep with his compliments.

After this prisoners continued to arrive, just living skele-
tons. The sight of one poor boy touched us deeply ; the
thin neck was unable to support the head, which drooped
almost to the knees. I spoke to him repeatedly, and
offered him food ; at length he gave me a look I shall
never forget ; just said, " I have eaten," and the head
hung down helpless as before ; all hope seemed gone '
Another of apparently higher rank coughed as if in the
last gasp of existence ; he was as emaciated as the others,
but had been allowed to retain some beads and a brass
ring; we gave him some snail soup, and promised to
bring him a daily supply of fufu.

Another object of our compassion was a young child
so weak from want of food as to be unable to stand. It
was touching to see how the little thing jumped on its
mothers knee as my wife approached with fufu and
ground nut soup. Alas! it was but little we could do
to ameliorate the miseries of these wretched groups, but
that little called forth their most grateful thanks.

On the 26th of August we again received a sheep and a
sua of gold dust, and for a few days our diet was improved.

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EBENEZER. 83

but we soon fell back into the old routine — snail soup and
dried meat. On the 28th we were summoned to an
audience, and anticipated special news, as we were to carry-
cur chairs, which always denoted something important.
On arriving at the leafy chamber where the king awaited
us, we saw some boxes addressed to us. We naturally
supposed they were from our brethren, but to our surprise
the king handed us a letter from his excellency admini-
strator Ussher, expressing the hope that, in virtue of his
treaty with the king, he should soon welcome us at Cape
Coast ; meanwhile he had sent us a few needful articles.

On opening the boxes we were deeply affected at their
contents, which consisted of stuffs, soap, metal plates,
knives and forks, preserved meats, ham, cheese, tea, sugar,
biscuits, and, above all, writing materials ; with a quantity
of gold dust, in value £22, quite a fortune in our secluded
life. Three umbrellas were also found; one had dis-
appeared on the road. There was besides a valuable
present for the king, consisting of three boxes of cham-
pagne ; we too had our share of wine, some of which we
offered to his majesty. He took four bottles, which he
drank in company with his chiefs, till the whole party
became very merry. Our people were commanded to
appear before him, and he swore, with uplifted hands,
that whoever took anything jfrom us would lose his head.
This was said so solemnly that Ageana, though he tried
to speak, became dumb ; and being roughly pushed aside,
had quickly to retire.

After the king's departure, Bosommuru begged for a
second translation of the letter, though prince Ansa had
already read it; we of course complied. This done he
gave us another letter from Major Brownell, which in-
formed us that he had conducted the embassy to the
Ashantee king as far as the Prah, and would remain
there until we came. How joyfully we embraced this

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84 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

prospect of deliverance, feeling that He, to whom nothing
is impossible, could easily bring it to pass *

Returning to our humble home, we gratefully thanked
our heavenly Father for His interposition on our behalf;
and in the gladness of our hearts, we prepared a present for
the king, consisting of four metal plates, some sugar, soap
and pomade. For prince Ansa we set aside.a pair of shoes,
which he greatly needed, some tea, sugar, writing materi-
als, and other valuable things. After dispatching this busi-
ness, we sat down to try the cheese ; oh how delicious it
was, and how gladly did we cast aside our wooden plates!

Prince Ansa called on us as soon as permitted, to offer
his thanks, telling us the shoes were more valuable to
him than a crown of gold. He encouraged us to hope
that a mission might soon be established in Coomassie, the
king being now so favourably disposed towards Europeans.
The schools which the Wesleyan missionaries had tried to
form, failed for lack of children ; if the king favoured their
establishment it would be different, and by helping the
missionaries, he would gain the friendship of Queen
Victoria. He had already received a very kind letter
from the administrator, in which he had petitioned for
our freedom ; and the present of a piece of green stuff,
embroidered with gold, sent him by our brethren, had
also delighted him.

After about three quarters of an hour, his attendants
intimated to the prince that his visit must end ; he im-
mediately rose, and expressing the hope to be allowed
soon to repeat it, wished us farewell, recommending us to
cultivate the friendship of Bosommuru, who possessed
great influence ; and we sent by him the present of a brush
for the latter, which he had long desired.

* Later on we heard that one of the messengers from Cape Coast had
told the king that the governor accouuted us lor great people, and wuuld
pay any sum that might be demanded for our liberty.

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EBENEZEE. 85

In the beginning of September we entered on a new-
phase of affairs in our domestic arrangements, and for the
first time, after eighteen months, we drank tea and read
by lamp light, instead of retiring to bed at dusk. It was
also now our frequent privilege to minister to poor captive
children, as they passed through our village with their
parents. To one of these covered with scalds we offered
food, but the little sufferer could not open her mouth to
eat it.

One morning, before we ha4 completed our scanty
toilet, we were desired to hasten to the presence of the
king, who wished to see us, on his way to a yearly
festival in honour of his father, as he called the Fetish.
We managed to emerge in time to see the red umbrella
enter the village, under which sat the king in his sedan
chair, fully arrayed. The bearers were ordered to halt,
while he saluted each of us separately, evidently desir-
ing to make an impression. On his arms were gold and
silver ornaments in various devices, from his green vel-
vet cap hulig broad lappets, to which were suspended
gold and silver amulets ; his dress was of damask, and a
rich golden-tinted silk covered the sedan chair. It was
a marvellous, but most miscellaneous, display of the
ostentation and gaudy show of an African procession :
the crown jewels, in baskets, chests, and tin vessels, orna-
ments of every variety, fans of peacocks' feathers, coloured
leather, staves straight and crooked, with gold and silver
knobs, and even articles of furniture — with antelopes' feet,
elephants', cows,' and horses' tails, contributed their
share to the show.

By the side of each bearer walked an official in plumed
hat, while for music there was the continual beating of
drums ornamented with human skulls, mingled with the
shouts and screams of the multitude; the fifers and
drummers being clothed in Danish and Dutch uniforms.

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86 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

The royal camp bedstead, covered with leather and orna-
mented with glittering steel nails, appeared to be of
British manufacture. Overseers marched by in fragments
of European costume ; one had a scarlet coat, but no
trousers; another wore a long dressing gown, reminding one
of a German university professor; one of the generals
was in a brown velvet dress and sash, another had
proudly donned a field marshal's hat and white cockade,
while to the lot of a third had fallen a woman's under
garment, in which he found it somewhat difficult to walk.

A band of three musicians in Dutch costumes followed,
whose cymbal, clarionet, and European drum added con-
siderably to the inharmonius noise (perhaps because
their instruments were out of tune), but the effect was
startling: these brought up the rear of the procession,
and although their music was discordant and barbarous
in the extreme, it had a certain imposing effect even
on a European; while on the Africans it produced the
wildest excitement, causing them to tremble.

One of the slaves in a sort of frenzy knocked off the hat
of brother K., whereupon he administered summary justice,
tjiough in the presence of the king, giving the man a smart
box on the ear; thus impressing on them the fact that we no
longer meant to be treated as children. This shai-p practice
had the desired effect, for he came afterwards humbly to
beg pardon, and promised to call us in the evening when
the procession returned, that we might see the first part
which had preceded the king. Fifty sheep had been
sent in advance for feasting and for sacrifice; whether
himian beings were killed or not we never ascertained.

At five o'clock our chairs were placed in the street ;
but we had scarcely taken our seats, when a cry of the
eunuchs, who are mostly dwarfs, warned us to escape ;
my wife, however, remained, and received a friendly
salutation from eight of the royal ladies, dressed in red

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EBENEZER. 87

native cloth, and richly adorned. They were accom-
panied by numbers of children, the girls carrying yellow,
red, and green damask cushions; the boys, who were
sons of executioners, and being trained to their father's
profession, wore caps of leopard skin, and carried gold
handled knives. After this interlude we left our hiding
place, and witnested the remainder of the procession,
which was less regular and imposing than that of the
morning.

Amongst the curious things which were borne past us
were silver dishes, and the king's dining-table, with feet
beautifully carved; the chairs of chiefs ; and a kind of
flag, with figures of the Fetish. The aristocracy were
carried in sedan chairs, surrounded by musicians sounding
their ivory horns, and recalling to our memory our first
entrance to the camp. It was now dark, torches of palm
branches were lighted, and for two hours the procession
continued, every person of distinction being honoured by
a renewed performance on the drums. The king arrived
at last, looking sullen and tired as he lay in his sedan
chair, giving one the impression that he felt compelled to
endure these noisy exhibitions, to conciliate the people
whose chiefs had placed him on the vacant throne. It is
only by slow degrees that the strongest sovereign can act
independently of them.

Kari-Kari never appeared to us fond of ostentation,
though he might have felt some pleasure in displaying his
power to his white prisoners ; but he usually came to us
in a simple style, and the better we knew him the more
were we impressed with the idea that his natural dis-
position was amiable and kind. On this occasion golden
feuns were carried behind him on high poles, and helmets
of the same were conspicuous ; so that after the amount of
precious metal displayed on this day, we no longer regarded
the report of the riches of this dynasty to be exaggerated.

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88 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

Wearied with sight-seeing, we itetired thankfully to our
little hut, after seeing the brother of the king and Bosom-
mum carried by.

What a relief to our feelings was the thought of the
following day, which was the Christian Sabbath to us,
though in a land of darkness ; and we purposed to com-
memorate it specially by meeting together at the table of
the Lord. The present of wine we had lately received
enabled us to hold this strengthening feast, for which our
souls yearned. One of our boxes, covered with a white
cloth, served as a table, and when all was ready, we
anxiously awaited the arrival of prince Ansa. It was not
till late in the afternoon he could obtain the king s per-
mission to come, when he brought a native christian called
Joseph jfrom Cape Coast. How delightful was it again to
enjoy the privilege of a christian service, to read together
God's word, and unite in prayer and praise with our
voices and our hearts.

After the service we conversed with the prince on the
subject of our freedom, which he regarded as only a matter
of time. He could sympathise with us from his own
experience, having been for three years put off with fair
promises. " After the Fantees on the coast have been set
at liberty, and after Adu Bofo appears, your turn will
come," said he, though the general himself has little
influence, in spite of his being purse-bearer and keeper of
the keys. We then discussed the fate of our property, of
which we concluded the chiefs would retain a share,
however much they might have grudged it to Adu Bofo.
A month later the feast of yams was to be held, and
he was expected forty days after. This number the
Ashantees consider particularly lucky, and always try to
connect with some important event.

We now ventured to invite the prince to breakfast
with us, and on Sept. 15th, a special messenger being de-

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EBENEZEK 89

spatched to accompany him, he arrived at 10 o'clock, but
to otir great surprise the king came with him on a visit
of inspection, escorted by eleven attendants, and carried
on the shoulders of one of his servants. It was the first
time he had seen our "Ebenezer," and after saluting us
kindly, he greatly admired our arrangements, particularly
our table constructed of boards placed over boxes, and our
hammock of banana fibre.

After he had retired, our late breakfast was served, and
we thoroughly enjoyed our good tea, eggs, and preserved
carrots, a tin of which we had opened for the occasion.
The prince conversed unreservedly, getting us to tell him
our history, and relating to us his own sad experience
from Sept. 17th, 1867, when he was first brought here,
and since which he had been constantly promised his
freedom, and as constantly disappointed. We comforted
him with the suggestion that his detention might possibly
have its bright side, for had he continued in office at Cape
Coast, he would most likely have been involved in much
trouble. Every Sunday he held a short service with his
Fantee servants, in which Mr. Watts, a good W^sleyan
catechist who had been detained here eight years as a
hostage, took part ; and he invited us to the dilapidated
mission-house, where some Ashantees were always present,
to whom we might speak of Christ.

The prince had himself, through the influence of the
Dutch, become an object of suspicion to the king, and
though now apparently restored to favour, had to be very
cautious lest the people should accuse him of telling us too
many secrets. He however believed he should be per-
mittM to unite in our worship on Sundays, the king having
told him that the name we had given to our place had
greatly interested him. He advised us to propitiate the
king's interpreter, Nantshi, by sending him a present of
some sugar. From this time prince Ansa came by invita-

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90 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

tion to breakfast every Sunday and Thursday ; by degrees
his visits became still more frequent, and his communica-
tions more confidential.

We had often doubted whether it were not desirable
to send Bosommuru a joint every time we killed a
sheep, and we now found that other important people
expected similar presents, and that we had already
incurred the reputation of being stingy; but as the
prince became better acquainted with our affairs, and
learned that we had always given our people some of
the money which had been sent by the king, and that we
had sometimes only four snails or half a fish to make our
soup, he was greatly astonished, and advised us to arrange
difierently, as it was not at all the king's wish that we
should fare so poorly.

" You must manage your own housekeeping," said he,
"and never give away what the king sends you for your
own use. There is often fresh meat in the market, buy
for yourselves (I will send you scales and weights for the
gold dust, &c.), and have your food cooked according to
your orders, keeping all supplies in your own custody."
We feared the effect of such a sudden change, but the
prince spoke to the people with so much tact, that they
showed no open opposition, although not perhaps alto-
gether pleased. We carried out his instructions immedi-
ately, cooking yams in the morning and fufu in the evening,
and our spoons and plates were washed by the attendants.

The news which now came from the seat of war caused
much joy both in town and country. It was reported
that the daring rebel Dompr^ had been killed in battle,
and that king Kwadjo Odee of Pekyi, and king Kumi of
Anum had been beheaded. Kari-Kari was so delighted
that he danced with joy, and all the people shared in
the excitement, for it appeared that the war was at an
end, and Adu Bofo*s return might be expected in two or

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ISBENEZIER. 91

three months. "White garments, the sign of rejoicing,
were universal; and many painted themselves with
white earth.

Prince Ansa on the contrary seemed depressed. He
was expecting to be allowed to return to the coast in
October, and yet he could not get an audience of the
king. He had, as has ah'eady been noticed, come here
four years previously with a commission from the
English Government, but had not been allowed to write
any letters in his official capacity for three years. He
wished to purchase from us the coral beads which K.
had concealed in his hat, but even this little transaction
could not be completed without the king's permission ; so
truly is this ^ land of fear, where no man trusts his
neighbour. The prince had also adopted a little child
who would otherwise have been exposed in the bush, but
it died notwithstanding his care.

About this time Adu Kwaku left us in order to look
after his wife in Purumasee, who was seriously ill after
her confinement. He begged a sua of gold from us to
propitiate the fetish who was killing his wife, but we
told him we had nothing to do with fetish. She died,
and we gave the customary presents to purchase mats,
&c. ; we were glad to hear that the child was living, and
would not be buried with its mother, acccording to the
custom of the country.

On October 2nd, we were surprised by a visit from a
Dutch official, Mr. J. S. Mensa, who had lived in Coom-
assie since the 4th of July. As he spoke Dutch, he under-
stood a good deal of our German ; we also addressed him
in English ; this excited the suspicion of the Ashantee
chief who accompanied him, making him suppose we were
English also. After a short time, Mr. M. left us, taking
with him a letter which M. Bonnat entrusted to his
charge.

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92 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

The miserable state of our huts, which leaked at every
shower, caused us to entreat the king to give us better ones;
and we hoped that be would allow us to remove to the
town. Bosommuru however brought word that no
change would be permitted until after Adu Bofo's return,
and he gave orders to the people of Amanghyia to build
new huts for us ; we were also permitted now and then
to write a letter, which was some consolation to us during
this long delay.

We one day complained to Bosommuru of Ageana's
rudeness to us; he constantly refused us the services of his
boys, so we asked if the king would be kind enou^ to
send us two lads, that we might not be dependent on oiu*
surly keeper. Bosommuru severely reprimanded the old
man, telling him that he was unfit to have the charge of
white men, and that for the future the soldiers were to
obey our orders exclusively. This reproof made so deep
an impression upon Ageana, that he actually begged us to
pardon him, and not to deprive^ him of the honour of
waiting upon us. So we tried him once more.

On Sunday, October 23rd, the shouting and screaming
in the village, mingled with the beating of drums,
announced that the great yam festival had begun. It
lasts a fortnight ; the first and fifth days the people fast,
but only to whet their appetite for drink. The king dis-
tributed brandy to all his attendants, and sent us a bottle,
which we gave to our people. On ^the fifth day, a
criminal is executed — "sent as a messenger to the late
king in the lower world;" then his majesty eats fresh
yams (" ode," as the best sort are called), and on this occa-
sion, the people also are permitted to partake of them.
The king's mother passed through our village, laden with
this vegetable, and at the suggestion of the servants we
went forward to welcome her, and to thank her for her
kind presents to us. Suddenly the sense of her own im-

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EBENEZEK 93

portance seemed to impress her, as mounting a high stone
she commanded her attendants to form a semi-circle, and
we were then called forward to kiss her extended hand.
Before entering her sedan chair she promised to send ns
a further supply of " ode." On the fifth and eighth days
of the festival the king gives wine to all his chiefs, for
which purpose he expended £48 sterling. This was in
addition to his own palm wine, so the street was orna-
mented with hundreds of vessels, and the mirth knew no
bounds.

How different was our position! Brother K. was
suffering from liver complaint, had quite lost his appetite,
and was dreadfully depressed. My dear wife too had
fever, and her spirits were so low that she could with
difficulty restrain her tears. We determined to petition
the king to allow us to change our quarters and remove
to the old mission-house in the city. We were desirous
if possible to send in our request before the meeting of
the grand assembly, which took place on November 3rd.
when the high dignitaries of the kingdom, the princes
of Mampong, Dwaben, &c., came together to talk over
everything of importance which had occurred in their
respective districts since the last feast of yams.

Prince Ansa brought us intelligence of what was done
that day. The Major's letter respecting the exchange of
prisoners was discussed, but it was decided that if the
governor would not consent to exchange the black men
without the white (although it was the latter he- had
especially demanded) they must all remain until the
return of the troops. We were cruelly disappointed, and
the prince who felt the deepest sympathy for us was
exceedingly grieved. " You do not know," he said, " how
ashamed I am when I remember the great kindness
shown to us in England, and contrast it with what you
are suffering now. I can never forget Queen Victoria's

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94 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

kind parting words, as she gave me her hand and said,
' Go, and be a blessing to your country ;' every day shews
anew what misery war brings upon a land, and how
hopeless our prospects are under its influence."

The prince had lately seen a large number of prison-
ers, amongst whom was a mother with a dead child on
her back ; and this cruel war still goes on. Maize and
com were sent to the camp, and the leaders who had
come home were sent back again. Meanwhile, Major
Brownell was detained on the Prah, and complained
bitterly of having to keep his seventy Ashantee prisoners
there so long.

Brother K. still continued very unwell, and we all
felt much annoyed at Bosommuru's behaviour; for the
last five weeks he had promised to send us meat, salt,
and clothing, but nothing had come. Brother K. adopted
what appeared to be the only available means of making
an impression, and refused to partake of food until the
promised supplies arrived. Upon this, Bosommuru paid
us a visit of enquiry, and we had to inform him
that white men understood "yes" to mean "yes," but
that we had here discovered that promises were worthless,
our letters to the king being unanswered, and those to
the Coast not forwarded, or we should certainly have
received some attention.

The chamberlain manifested displeasure, and half
threatened to send us to another village, saying that
here we saw too many people, by which he meant to
express his annoyance at prince Ansa's frequent visits.
However, he ended with an attempt at apology, and
begged brother K to take some food. We were talking
over the subject after his departure, when suddenly a
large black serpent glided up the wall, which was only
made of sugar cane fibre. Brother K. attacked the rep-
tile, and struck it with a knife, but it managed to escape.

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EBENEZETt. 95

and we all considered it advisable to decamp to other
quarters for the night.

We now lived upon roast bananas, and only enough
salt was sent for my wife. The king at length finding
that it was not good for us to fast (eating roast fruit is
looked upon as fasting here), sent us a sheep and a load
of salt. The following day, at the house of the chief
Dikurow, we came to an understanding with his majesty.
Prince Ansa's tact helped us so much that the king no
longer objected to our removal to Coomassie, and he com-
missioned the prince to have the mission-house made
ready for us, the only delay being the necessity of bringing
the matter before the council Adu Bofo would not
object.

The appearance of my wife, who was suflTering from an
abscess, seemed to touch the king. At the same time he
confessed to prince Ansa that many people had sought to
excite a prejudice against him, but that he was now con-
vinced that the prince had always given him the best
advice, and was his truest friend.

We now prepared to bid adieu to our crowded little
huts, in which we had settled ourselves as carefully as
voyagers arrange their cabins on board a ship. Seven
feet by six, and seven feet in height, contained all our
possessions ; on either side of the door was a narrow bed-
stead made of palm strips, while underneath them was
our store-room, and above a frame for our "bag and
baggage.'* Hooks on the walls supported the fragments,
which had once been clothes, while between the beds
stood the chest from Begoro, which contained our most
valuable things, our clothes and writing materials. Um-
brellas, old shoes, and sandals were thrust in above us,
under the fragile grass roof where rats, mice, spiders, and
lizards found a refuge, and occasionally dropped down
upon us. A hen house had been contrived outside, which

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96 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

though often plundered, occasionally aflForded us the
luxury of an egg.

And here I must not forget to add, that during our last
fortnight, our dear prince Ansa rejoiced us with a most
welcome present, consisting of a fine sheep, some yams,
and two hens. We were soon after enabled to buy
another fowl and two chickens, at a trifling price, and the
care of this poultry was a wonderful pleasure to us.

In the meanwhile, the prince had prepared for our use
two rooms in the mission-house ; these were cleaned and
whitened, and permission was obtained for our taking
possession the next week. Thursday, which we suggested,
being considered by the king an unlucky day, our removal
was fixed for Monday, it being stipulated that we should
go by moonlight, to avoid creating sensation in the town.

We could scarcely believe in the truth of this pleasant
change, which was the first of our desires that had been
acceded to during our captivity, and we could hardly
realise the happy fact. The prince, moreover^ stirred our
hearts by hints of various great changes now taking
place on the Gold Coast. It appeared likely that England
would shortly purchase Elmina from the Dutch, the latter
retiring altogether from Guinea; the entire Coast thus
coming under British rule, it would probably ensue, that
a strict system of government would supersede the
irregular order of things which had hitherto prevailed ;
in any case, we rested in the thought that our God would
order all things for the best.

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IN GOOMASSIE WITH PRINCE ANSA. 97

CHAPTER XV.

IN COOMASSIE WITH PRINCE ANSA.

Monday, December 5th, wa& a day never to be forgotten in
our Ashantee life ; after a sleepless night we rose and be-
gan to pack; about ten o'clock came the prince's boy
to announce the indisposition of his master, who would
be unable to join us till the evening ; he took one of our
packages with him, which greatly excited our people, who
did not like the change ; declared the elders did not wish
us in the town, and in their anger, tried to persuade the
king to withdraw his permission. Two of them started
for Coomassie ; but Isaiah viii. 10, was now exemplified,
'* Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought."

The prince, though unable to come himself, kindly sent
us a number of Fantees to help to carry our few things,
and as we accompanied them to the gate to prevent
further hindrance, our two soldiers were seen returning
more quiet and subdued than we had ever known them
before. They allowed the packages to pass without a
frown, and at six o'clock the prince arrived. He told us
he bad been accused of disobeying orders, .and bringing
the white men into the town by day; he indignantly
denied the charge, upon which it was affirmed that the
luggage was being carried across ; he was highly dis-
pleased, and perceived his mistake in having provided us
with bearers from his own people, so he at once told our
soldiers they must do the rest of the work unaided.
This explained the crest-fallen looks we had observed.

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98 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

When the moon had risen, the prince gave the signal
to start, placing my wife in his sedan chair, and following
with ourselves just behind her. We soon reached the
stream which surrounds the town, and in fifteen minutes
more, the old mission-house stood before us. We passed
through some fine open streets, but the houses were
dilapidated, and the roads stony' and uneven, so that the
place struck us as inferior to Dwaben. On entering the
mission-house, Mr. Watts, the master, and Mr. Lindsay,
the constable of Cape Coast, both in European dress, shook
us warmly by the hand, and wished us God's blessing.
Caesar, and other Fantees who were sitting with them,
we greeted after the fashion of the country, and we
were then conducted into another building within the
court-yard, where the prince s rooms and our own were side
by side. After our miserable grass huts, they seemed to
us like a palace, but sweeter far was it to realise that
we were with friends and brethren, and we knelt to unite
in offering praise to Him who had wrought so wonder-
fully for us ; for until it was actually accomplished, we
had scarcely dared to hope this removal would pass so
quietly.

But all was not over yet ; before the prince had time to
report progress to the king, Bosommuru entered, followed
by several men with torches, bringing as we hoped, a
congratulation from his majesty. But alas ! his message
was of a different nature : it appeared the king was now
convinced it was a mistake to introduce important people
like ourselves into the town by night. His elders would
disapprove of it, and we must therefore immediately
return to the wood till, after counsel with the chiefs, he
could give us a public reception. We were thunderstruck ;
Mr. Watts, who had been longing for our arrival, placed
in the strongest light the effect of such treatment on us,
and the bad example it would be to the population. The

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IN COOMASSIE WITH PRINCE ANSA. 99

prince expressed extreme surprise, and I broke forth in
determined remonstrance.

" The king," said I, " has declared we should get ill if
we remained in the wood ; if he send us back it is like
saying, should you be ill that does not matter. My poor
wife has just found comfort again: if we return, our position
will be worse than before. Tell his Majesty that it is not
because we will not, but because we cannot eat,* we are
too deeply grieved; our trouble is too great, yet our
innocence is well known. The king must have pity on
us and allow us to remain here,"

While high words were going on between the bystanders,
Bosommuru consented to take our message to the king,
and he had no sooner left us than we once more fell on
our knees, entreating the Lord, in whose power are the
hearts of all men, to show Himself strong in our behalf
in this our extremity ; yet we sought grace to say, " His
will be done." Our minds were calmed ; we took a Kttle
refreshment, and patiently waited the effect of our appeal.
In due time Bosommuru returned ; " His Majesty," said
he, " permits you to remain, but will be unable to give you
a public reception for the present. You are not there-
fore to go beyond the yard, and the prince must have all
the doors locked, that no one may come in." We were
filled with joy ; a new Ufe opened before us ; and a third
time we knelt in thanksgiving to Him who had thus put
honour on our weak faith.

Mr. Watts had been nine years in Coomassie, labouring
in the service of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, and
for the last four had been prevented from communicating
with the Coast, and had lived on the little money given
him by the king at the feasts. The mission-house was
fast falling into decay, the blocked up state of the roads

* To refuse food is the only way in which you can make an Ashantee
feel you are really in earuest.

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100 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

making repair impossible, the roof was in holes, the floors
rotten, and the whole place scarcely habitable. The
lower storey, being the best part, .was used for a chapel
and store-house ; our rooms were in the right wing, where
were also those of the catechist and some workmen.

The kindness of our host was extreme, the prince him-
self made arrangements for our table, and we enjoyed
better food than we had thought procurable in Ashantee.
We slept again on bedsteads, though without bedding ;
my wife's spirits revived, and we were almost tempted to
think ourselves stationary. Most earnestly did we pray
that we might shine as lights in the surrounding darkness.

But though the prince exerted himself in every way for
our comfort, we were obliged to remind the king how
much we were inconvenienced for want of money,
especially as we were told that the prince and Mr. Watts
were soon to leave us to be present at an exchange of
prisoners on the Prah, December 20th. We wondered
how this could take place, while we still remained cap-
tives. The whole proceeding was involved in mystery,
and we daily needed the grace of patience to sustain our
fainting spirits. We took care to obey to the letter the
king's orders, so on our first Sabbath in the mission-
house we contented ourselves with reading together in
our own rooms, much as we longed to enjoy the little
service conducted by our kind friends.

The next day, Monday, was fixed for our public recep-
tion by the king. Bosommuru came to announce this,
telling us at the same time to keep up our courage, as
we should probably hear rough words from the unman-
nerly town's people. Mr. Watts too seemed anxious
about us, and considerately had the door guarded to
prevent any of the savage Ashantees from entering,
knowing their customs and their fearful cruelties.
Often did they blunt their knives to increase the suffer-

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IN GOOMASSIE WITH PRINCE ANSA. 101

ings of their poor victims, or cut pieces out of the neck
of the man they were about to behead ; at the same time
they were full of superstition, and would throw pahn-
wine on the ground, and from the figures it formed prog-
nosticate the future.

At four o'clock, a royal messenger with gold-hilted
sword came to escort us to the king. Clad in our best
attire, white trousers, &c., we made ourselves look as well
as we could.. Mr. Watts and the prince could not accom-
pany us, as they had to take their position near his
majesty. We were received in the market place by our
former chief from Duro, and Ageana with our soldiers all
in full military costume ; the dresses were beautiful, even
Ageana wore silk, and was far too proud to notice us.
We were then led for an hour and a half through narrow
streets and bye-ways, and at last brought into the midst
of a crowd, here we waited a long time in the most in-
tense heat, though happily the prince's forethought had
provided jis with chairs.

At length the approach of a stately man covered with
golden ornaments, and his head adorned with fans of
eagle's wings, warned us that the grand event was near ;
making his way through the throng he led us before the
king, but though we were surrounded by the aristocracy
of Coomassie, so rough was the scene, that my wife's hat
was torn off as she bowed before his majesty. Then re-
tiring sonie distance, we took our seats under the shade
of a large tree, and awaited the saluations from the
grandees in retufn; some were very friendly, while
others, among them Opoko (one of the linguists to
whom we gave the name of Pharisee), would not take
our offered hand ; it was easy to see that the chiefs were
at variance among themselves. Two men then came and
danced like maniacs, with drawn swords, apparently
trying to frighten us, while their servants were very

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102 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE,

insulting, screaming in our faces, and pretending to cut
off our heads.

The king's chairs were very curious, and quite new to
us. About twenty of them were of mixed Ashantee and
European workmanship, and had one or two bells, remind-
ing us of the cow-bells of our beautiful Switzerland;
although finely ornamented they were all stained Black
with human blood. The real throne is a chair of the
country, about four hundred years old, so patched with
golden wire and plates that the original wood is scarcely
visible. An immense umbrella is carried over it, and not
until he has taken his seat in this chair is a new sovereign
looked upon as king.

As his majesty was carried past us he saluted us
pleasantly, and then began a war-dance. He waved his
sword most gracefully in every direction except towards
us ; he next took a gun, inlaid with silver, with which he
went through the same manoeuvres, laughing and nodding
at us. This the prince explained afterwards, was a great
honour. Over him was held the most beautiful of his
umbrellas, of red and black velvet, and laced with gold.*
He, like most of his chiefs, was clothed in calico, the
symbol of mourning, no doubt on account of the war. It
was quite night when we arrived at home, by a shoiii
road which brought us in ten minutes from the spot which
had taken an hour and a half to reach in the morning.
As we passed along the people followed, screaming and
shouting : " Enemies," they cried, '' you shall all be killed !
Oh, you fools !" How thankful were we that this dreaded
reception was over.

We were told various stories of the doings on such
occasions. The following may be taken as a sample of
the cruel tastes of this savage people. On one occasion

* It is the same umbrella which is now in the museum at South
Kensington.

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m COOMASSIE WITH PRINCE ANSA. 103

the British ambassador was being received with great
magnificence, when a man dying on a rack was carried
past, as if by accident ; another time — March, 1869 — the
messenger of Mr. Simpson was ceremoniously greeted,
when the bloody head of a man who had just been be-
headed was placed before him. Prince Ansa, who was
then present, angrily struck the bearer to the ground.

We had much to learn in this strange capital On the
18th of December the great Adae or feast was held, when we
were expected to go with the prince and Mr. Watts to the
hall in Deabo Street, and sit while the procession passed,
that we might salute the king. This feast-day occurred
every fortieth day, and was followed in eighteen or
twenty more by the little Adae. About six days be-
fore each, the king retired into his palace, after having
diTink palm wine in the midst of all his chiefs, while two
men stood by shooting arrows into the air ; * on the feast
day itself, he appeared in the streets, gave gold dust to
the chiefs and strangers, and treated them to wine. Be-
fore he left the palace, he visited the two buildings con-
taining the chairs of the former kings, fourteen in number.
The bones of these ancient worthies repose in Bantama.
Their chairs of state the king sprinkled with rum. This
over, he proceeded to the appointed place Mogyawe
(meaning the blood dries), his ministers and chiefs pre-
ceding him, amid the wildest music.

On this occasion many saluted us, and some even
danced before us; a few had iron chains round their
necks, which at the end of the dance, they laid hold of
with their teeth : the king's sixty fetishes were carried
before him. Eecognizing us he smiled, and commenced

*At these palm wine festivals, which generally took place at the
street called Dweboanda (meaning the flint-stone never sleeps), we,
like all strangers, were obliged to be present and pay our respects to
his majesty ; as a reward we received a jar of the wine.

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104 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

his war-dance with sword and gun; the executioners
making ominous signs, were similarly engaged behind
him. We followed to the place of greeting, where a dread-
ful crowd had gathered, crying out, " They shall all be
killed," but the presence of the prince checked their
rage.

Having at last succeeded in paying our respects to his
majesty, we retired to our chairs to receive the customary
presents. The prince had four dollars given him, Mr.
Watts three, and ourselves nine, together with a small
bottle of brandy, which we gave to our soldiers, who were
constantly forcing themselves upon us in hope of obtain-
ing something. Nine dollars for four persons was little
enough, and yet it was all we had to live on untU the little
Adae, twenty-three days later, if our expected boxes from
the Prah did not arrive sooner. The day after, we went
to meet and thank his majesty, as he returned from his
accustomed visit to Bantama, before he passed on to
Amanghyia, where he allowed himself a rest of forty days,
imtil the next Adae came round.

From the various accounts which reached us of the
king s daily habits, we gathered that, like the Africans
generally, he took but two meals a day, and ate but little
of the many dishes set before him. Chicken, mutton,
and especially pork, are his favourite viands. He
eats alone at a beautifully wrought table in the
court of the palace, but surrounded by his chiefs.
At a distance stands his head cook (a golden spoon
attached to his umbrella being the sign of his call-
ing), incessantly stirring with a long fork the contents
of the dish of which his majesty was partaking ; another
attendant meanwhile rehearses in loud tones his royal
master's virtues ; and when he happena to be in a good
humour, he sometimes throws a chicken or a piece of
meat to his courtiers, that he may enjoy seeing the

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IN COOMASSIE WITH PRINCE ANSA. 105

scramble which ensues. Each of the king's kra,* about a
thousand in number, carries a gold plate upon his breast.
All their money and jewellery, as well as that of thou-
sands more, belong to the king ; indeed, most of the free
people in Coomassie are so connected with the palace,
that they bear the title of chiefs, and fulfil a particular
office, and when they die their property goes to the
monarch. The vassal states pay their tribute in slaves,
cotton, silk, sandals, oxen, &c. Thus the king's riches
are increasing continually.

A court is held every day but Friday, to which all
have free access. A person accused of crime is put in
irons until the trial, when he is brought forward before
witnesses. If the testimony is deemed insufficient, the
accusing party takes his oath ; if the accused then swear
his innocence, he has to undergo a kind of ordeal ; being
obliged to chew a piece of odum wood, and afterwards to
drink a pitcher of water. If no ill efiects follow, he is
reckoned guilty and must die, but if he become sick he
is set at liberty, and the accuser dies instead. A mur-
derer is beheaded after the most cruel tortures, as described
at page 127.

On January 26th one of these trials took place. A
rich heathen went to a mohammedan and asked him to
bless his fortune. The moslem declined, saying the
money had been acquired wrongly, and would soon be
lost A quarrel ensued, and the two men parted vowing
never to speak to each other again. Some weeks passed
when the rich man's slaves again visited the moham-
medan with the same request, i.e., that he would bless
their master's wealth. The moslem declared, that not-
withstanding his vow the rich man had sent his slaves to

* A kind of spies ; literally the king's souls ; meaning tliat they are
to die when he dies ; they are therefore Tery careful to report to their
master anything which might be injurious to him.

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106 MISSION-ART LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

him ; this the latter denied, and a worse quarrel followed,
in which the moslem called his enemy a liar and a de-
ceiver. The Ashantee upon this took the great oath of
the king that he was innocent, the other did the same ;
then followed the test. The Ashantee drank a large
quantity of odum water, which caused him to swell
fearfully, and he soon became sick. With a cry of joy
the whole multitude rushed upon the mohammedan,
dragging him to the block, where he was shortly after-
wards beheaded.

The following are a few of the laws which were in force
in Coomassie while we were detained there, the breach of
which was occasionally punished with death.

1. No drop of palm oil is, on any account, to be spilled
in the streets.

2. No Qgg must be allowed to fall and break in the
streets.

3. No one may smoke a European pipe in the streets.

4. No such pipe may be carried with a burden.

5. No burden packed in green palm branches may be
carried in the town.

6. No one may whistle in Coomassie.

7. Every one is to hide himself when the king's eunuchs
call.

8. No work is to be done in any plantation on a
Thursday.

9. Nothing is ever to be planted in Coomassie.

10. No pair of cocoah sandals may be woi*n in the
palace. (These sandals are made of horse hide ; the price
of them is cocoah or sixpence.)

After witnessing such scenes as we have described, our
joy and comfort in retiring to the quiet mission-house can
be conceived. On Sunday, December 18th, we had the
happiness of attending the little service in company with
sixteen others, and ten people from the town. Mr. Watts

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IN COOMASSIE WITH PRINCE ANSA. 107

spoke to us from Eccles. ix. 12 — "For man knoweth not
his time " — and also from Is. xxx. 15 — "In quietness and
confidence shall be your strength." We needed the lesson,
for all around us was unstable to the last degree.

On the evening of the 19th> the king took his seat so
near the mission-house that we could not avoid saluting
him, and we had the honour of sitting near prince Ansa,
and within twenty yards of the sovereign. We supposed
he had ordered this meeting for the purpose of drinking
palm wine, two jars of which were sent to us. This
however was not his only object, for as he sat, about
eighteen people advanced in procession before him, laden
with presents, a tribute from the prince of Asini ; and
this occurred only three weeks after Asini had sworn
allegiance to the British Protectorate. Several dozens of
rum, liqueur, champagne, and some beautiful silk stuff
made up these presents. As soon as they had been de-
livered, about a hundred women, in three groups, appeared
on the scene, splendidly adorned and not wanting in grace,
with white circles painted round their eyes, supposed to
enhance their beauty. The king seemed very happy, and
congratulated us on looking well. He promised to send
prince Ansa an antelope, which really arrived the next
day. During the time of rest, presents of these animals
are constantly coming from the surrounding chiefs, who
are in return supplied with gunpowder. The prince, who
had to make a present, offered a bronze case of lavender
water, upon which he received nine dollars in gold dust,
and a second antelope.

Christmas came, and found us in a far better position
than we had been the previous year. I preached God's
word for the first time in Coomassie (from John iii. 16),
and felt that I was again at a mission station. How I
longed to speak the Tshi more fiuently and correctly;
however, the people said they understood me. Unhappily,

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108 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

during the service the kingjs band, sent by his Majesty
with congratulations " to cheer our hearts on this festival,"
interrupted us with their drums, clarionets, and cymbals
— an honour we would gladly have foregone — continuing
their performance till five in the evening, when we gave ,
them some dinner and a few small coins. I was after-
wards attacked with fever, which did not leave me till the
beginning of the new year. Notwithstanding my illness,
I went with my party to see the king (December 29th) in
Amanghyia. The royal messenger, Kwabena, who called
us, allowed no time for breakfast, some goods having just
arrived; and in consequence of this unnecessary haste we
had to wait for the interview two hours in the heat.

The king sat in a yard of the extensive two storied
villa ; and in front of him stood seven chests addressed to
us, which were opened, and an inventory taken of their
contents. There were some composite candles which
pleased him greatly, and he took possession of half of
them. I got an alpaca dress for my wife, under protest,
because she really needed it; of ten other pieces of
material, his majesty took six, of course the best. They
were beautiful he said, and he would give us gold for
them. We were to receive a benna of gold dust, equal to
thirty-two dollars, but when it arrived, fully an eighth
was wanting. Almost all the things we had ordered,
with the exception of shoes for me, came. Prince Ansa's
wife sent her husband an umbrella ; and fourteen ounces
of gold dust were given us in a sealed packet.

When I asked the king if I might order some shoes
from Christiansborg, he said prince Ansa and Mr. Watts
would see to that, as they were going to the Coast next
week. The prince plainly said he did not believe it;
whereupon the king offered to bet that he would obtain
leave to depart on Saturday. He then gave us another
sheep and two suas of gold dust, and handed us three

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IN COOMASSIE WITH PRINCE ANSA. 109

letters. Two were from the administrator, who begged
US to have compassion on M. Bonnat, and alluded to the
Franco-German war, more particulars of which we learned
from the accompanying papers. The excitement of the
day was too much for me, and violent fever supervened.

Presents had now to be made; first to the king's
chamberlain who had opened the chests, next to our
former people, who complained that we had not taken
them with us to the king; and lastly to the bearers.
We closed the year with a social tea and a midnight ser-
vice ; we conversed and prayed most earnestly that we
might celebrate the close of the coming year with our
friends, and we did not forget to supplicate peace for poor
France.

On New Year's day, 1871, came a present of yams, and
four dollars, with which some friends had kindly planned
to surprise us, but nothing more was said of the prince's
departure, so the king lost his wager. We were not much
concerned at the delay, for though we knew he would do
his best for us at the Coast, we could scarcely imagine
how we should get on in Coomassie without him. Not
only did our former people cling to us like limpets, but
they were commissioned by Bosommuru, to keep the
Ashantees from annoying us, so that all our efibrts were
vain to resist their officious interference.

On the return of the king from his villa, January 5th,
1871, we welcomed him at the usual place of reception,
and then saw, among other wonderful things, his Fetish,
which he worships every Tuesday. It consists merely of
a small box covered with gold and silver, round which
the Kitebund dance. After his majesty had received
our salutations, he retired into the palace, whence he
would not come forth until the little Adae on the 12th of
the month.

A tremendous blowing of horns on the night of the 6th

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110 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

announced, as we thought, a great conflagration; the
cause, however, was an eclipse of the moon, which the
mohammedans have taught the people to believe can
only be removed by their prayers : on this day therefore
they were loaded with presents. In the morning we
again heard the dreadful sound which betokened an exe-
cution — this time that of a thief.

Prince Ansa had made repeated attempts to gain the
ear of the king on our behalf, and at length he succeeded
in reaching him in his retirement. He first requested
that we might be entirely freed from our former people.
Bosommuru opposed, but the queen-mother took our part
on hearing how ill they behaved to us. He then pleaded
for my wife, who had none of the care and comforts she
was now specially needing. She was very unwilling to
leave me, but I earnestly wished that she might be
allowed to accompany the prince to the Coast. The king
however declined to let her go on some trifling pretext,
but promised that some of our former property should be
brought us from Totorase.

On January 12th, the little Adae was celebrated, and
the king, again visited the buildings which contained the
chairs of the deceased monarchs. Ten sheep were killed
and cooked for them, after which his majesty sprinkled
the chairs with their blood, " to serve the spirits." We
paid our respects in the third court of the palace, and
received the customary nine dollars from Bosommuru.

A rumour was set afloat at the court, that my wife was
the daughter of Mrs. Bannerman, originally an Ashantee
princess, married in the war of 1836 to a mulatto, who
was thought to be a deadly enemy of the Ashantees ; and
it was added that Dompre had lost his life in his enthusi-
astic efibrts to procure her liberty. There had been so
much silly talk on the subject, that we desired to know
what the king had to say. For the first time in his life,

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IN COOMASSIE WITH PRINCE ANSA, 111

prince Ansa was permitted to speak with his majesty in
the presence of his torch-bearers only, who were quite
boys.

When this gossip was mentioned, the king laughed
and said, " if Mrs. R.'s mother had been an Ashantee
woman, she would have had curly hair and a different
nose." Ansa then took the opportunity to speak of the
shameful way in which we had been entrapped and sub-
sequently treated, but the only reply he received was,
" Yes, Ageana is certainly a wicked man, and the soldiers
will have nothing more to do with them."

" But what about Adu Bofo ?" continued the king,
" have they an accusation to bring against him when he
returns ?" " Very likely," said Ansa, and then asked if
Mrs. R. was not to accompany him to the Coast, at which
the king laughed, but said nothing.

The prince then asked if it was true that other white
men had been taken prisoners, and were coming to Coom-
assie. The king replied that there was some foundation
for the report, but that he had ordered the captives to
be set free. We afterwards foimd that the missionaries,
Merz and Muller, of the North German Mission, although
on British territory, and under the protection of the
allies, had escaped with difficulty, not by command of
the king, but by the prompt aid of the negroes of Keta.
It was very difficult to reconcile the conflicting rumours,
but we could at least rejoice that no more brethren were
coming to share our misery.

A strange interruption occurred on the following Sun-
day (January 15th), by the entrance of Bosommuru as
we were commencing our service. Being invited to stay
and listen he sat down, but interrupted the prince at
every sentence, loudly explaining all for the benefit of
his followers. When others entered, he called out
"prince, do you allow people to come here like this,

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112 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

when you are worshipping God T After the service,
he announced the cause of his visit, which was to inform
us that a new delay had arisen in the transporting our
goods from Totorase, no doubt the fault of the inter-
preter Nantshi, who would have liked to appropriate
them. The following Sunday (January 22nd), he came
again, when I had the opportunity of speaking before
him on our Lord's words, " Go ye into all the world," &c.

The feast of the king's household fetish, lasted ten
days, when chickens and sheep were sacrificed; goats
were brought for the same purpose, and kept in a hamlet
near the town, although they are usually strictly for-
bidden throughout the whole country.

On the first day the king danced in front of a house
near us, the birth-place of one of his ancestors. Prince
Ansa declined to be present on such occasions; but on
the 20th, when this dance was repeated, his majesty sent
for us ; Rosa, however, remained at home, being unable
to bear the noise. We found the king surrounded by
his chiefs, dancing with a quiver on his back covered
with gold, and a richly ornamented velvet cap on his
head. He sprang backwards and forwards, fiourishing
sword and gun, and looking continually at us, evidently
desiring our admiration. He kept very good time to
the music, which was performed by a band in the centre
of the group. He dances really well, but wildly, so that
som€J of his people surround him with outstretched arms
in case his foot should sUp.

But as to his followers, their dance surpasses in savage-
ness everything which can be imagined ; if one can fancy
a number of men in all possible and impossible positions,
fiitting about in noisy confusion, and so mingled to-
gether as to remind one of a band of demons, you have
them before you. Yet they kept wonderfully good time.
Still, however frequently one may witness such scenes,

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IN COOMASSIE WITH PRIFOE ANSA. 113

there is something not only startling but awful in
them.

Nothing more was said about the journey to the coast
till the night of January 23rd, when the king sent for
the prince and Mr. Watts. Letters had arrived from the
English authorities thanking the king for sending back
several Fantees, and expressing the hope that he would
keep his word, and give the Europeans their liberty as
soon as his general had returned. Should he, however,
be delayed, it was hoped the king would inform the
governor in order that he might hurry Adu Bofo back
over the Volta. As regarded Elmina, the Dutch governor
denied that the fort had been bought by the Ashantees,
or that money had ever been received for it. On this
point the king could satisfy himself by sending a mes-
senger to enquire.

It was very painful to him (the governor) to find that
the king did not keep his word with regard to the ex-
change of the prisoners. Again and again he had promised
and Major Brownell had waited long and patiently.
They had begged the king to recall his army from Akwa-
mu, instead of which he had re-formed it. The governor
then drew his majesty's attention to the danger of such
conduct, but added that if the king would at once send
the Fantees back with prince Ansa, all would yet be
well, and peace would be proclaimed throughout the
whole territory. If he stiU refused. Major Brownell
would be recalled with his prisoners. Ten days was the
longest time which could be allowed to consider this
proposal

The prince strongly advised the king to accept the
ofier of peace, speaking in the highest terms of the patience
the English had manifested throughout, and expressing
his sense of shame at the constant vacillation, excuses, and
unfaithfulness of his country. He also put in a word for

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lU MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

my wife, whereupon Bosommuru interrupted, saying,
" The elders will not have it." "What do I care for the
elders ?" answered the prince. Further experience, how-
ever taught us that the opinion of these worthies is of
great weight, and we were prevented by it from having
an audience of the king.

On the 31st, prince Ansa received his message to the
English ambassador — " H is majesty regretted not having
officially announced to him that he, Kofi Kari Kari, had
ascended the Ashantee throne in 1867, and that a mes-
senger had repeatedly started for the coast, but had been
driven back by fear of robbers. Some Akems had recently
taken some Ashantees prisoners, and even killed them ;
he would therefore like to know whether Akem was under
the British Protectorate."

At the prince's request the interpreters wrote these
messages down, but our affairs were not mentioned.
Presents of dresses and gold were given to him and his
followers, and at his earnest entreaty seventy eggs and
four pounds of rice were added for our use. A poor Asen
negro, who two years before had b€^n severely punished
for secretly selling gunpowder, would then have been
killed but for the prince's intercession. Now that prince
Ansa was about to leave Coomassie, the chief executioner
claimed him as his property, saying, " only Fantees are
set free." Again, the entreaties of the prince prevailed,
and the poor trembling man was delivered.

The prince invited us to accompany him on his fare-
well visit to the king. Brother K. was too ill to go, but
M. Bonnat and myself agreed to his request. Passing
through the seven courts leading to the palace, we found
the king in the eighth, sitting under the ai*cades, which
were tasteftilly decorated — ^he was almost enclosed by
them, and was quite in dishahiUe; six boys stood before
bim bearing torches* He was very merry^ saying to the

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IN COOMASSIE WITS PRINCE ANSA. 115

Pantees around him, " Qo home now, and tell your country-
men to forget the past, and to think of something new
and better — ^peace/*

I then addressed his majesty, thanking him for the
presents, and added that I had laid my case before the
elders, and could not understand why they had not
deigned to answer me. I also said I could take no future
responsibility, but would rest content, knowing I had
done my duty.

His majesty listened patiently, and said I was to make
myself easy, as Adu Bofo would soon come back. Im-
mediately after the little Adae, the jaw bones of the
fallen enemies would arrive, * and a week or two after
the great Adae, the general himself would fo^ow. Then,
as soon as prince Ansa came back, we might go to the
Coast.

On February 1st, we eagerly began to pack up. The
prince had left four of his servants with us — ^an old,
infirm upper servant, who could do little but give orders
to the others, a woman ,but recently confined, from whom
we could not expect much ; our chief dependence was on
Caesar, who looked after the kitchen, and a little girl who
was to attend on my wife.

The prince left early on the morning of the 2nd, and
Mr. Watts followed two days later with the other Fantees.
How heavy were our hearts at this parting. Brother K*s
health was terribly shaken,and when I begged Bosommuru
to send two boys to help us, he said ironically ,looking at
the poor invalid, " Yes, pray to your God to make him
well again.'' I replied, " our God can make him well to-

* Before the retam of the anny, the general in command sends to
the capital, the jaw bones of the slain enemies. His own return cannot
take place till forty days after these have been received. While in the
oamp, we ourselTes witnessed the drying and smoking of these bleeding
trophies.

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116 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

day, if it be His will ; but it may also be His wiU to let
him suffer longer ; at anjnrate, all the Ashantees have to
say about it is, that they have tortured the innocent, axid
have caused the death of our child. It is true our God is
long-suffering, but He will not always be mocked."

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TIMES OF SICKNESS, Jec, 117

CHAPTEE XVI.

TIMES OF SICKNESS AND FORSON'S EMBASSY.

The departure of the prince inaugurated a new order of
things with us, for in him we had lost our housekeeper,
adviser, and the manager of our purse. Our sorrow was
deepened by the increasing indisposition of brother K.,
who could only take rice soup and chicken, and who in
his depression would sometimes pray he might be released
from his suflFerings.

The most dreadful of the Ashantee festivals, Bantama,
or " death wake," now approached. The king went early
in the morning of February 5th, to Bantama, where the
remains of his deceased predecessors were preserved in a
long building, approached by a gallery, and partitioned
into small cells, the entrances of which were hung with
silken curtains. In these apartments reposed the skele-
tons of the kings, fastened together with gold wire, and
placed in richly ornamented coffins, each being sur-
rounded by what had given him most pleasure during
his life. On this occasion every skeleton was placed on
a chair in his cell to receive the royal visitor ; who, on
entering, oflFered it food ; after which a band played the
favourite melodies of the departed. The poor victim
selected as a sacrifice, with a knife thrust through his
cheeks, was then dragged forward and slain, the king
washing the skeleton with his blood. Thus was each
cell visited in turn, sacrifice after sacrifice being offered,
till evening closed ere the dreadful round was completed.

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118 MISSIONART LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

We had heard the blowing of homs and beating of
drums throughout the day, and were told that nearly
thirty men had been slain. These alas ! were not all, for
at six o'clock after the king had returned, the horn and
the drum again sounded, betokening that more victims
were yet to fall, and far into the night the melancholy
sound continued. Two blasts of the horn signified
** death ! death ! " three beats of the drum, " cut it off ! ''
and a single beat from another drum, announced ''the
head has dropped!** Powerless as we were, amid the
fearful darkness around, to hinder such atrocities, we
could only sigh and pray that our captivity might bring
about a better state of things.

We had now to endure much discomfort, being unable
to obtain the merest trifles, such as rice for our poor in-
valid, and salt which we could not buy, without long
delay, while thefts were of daily occurrence in our unpro-
tected premises, even boards and benches being abstracted,
neither were the promised lads sent to our help. We
heard nothing further of the retum'of the army ; on the
contrary, fresh troops were despatched to strengthen
Adu Bofo's hands. Kind messages often reached us from
the prince, and frequent presents from the Coast assured
us that we and our needs were not forgotten by our
friends there. When I next paid my respects to the
king, a violent storm of wind scattered the people,
turning the large umbrellas inside out. I caught cold,
and was soon laid low by fever, so that on the great
Adae, March 12th, M. Bonnat alone was present. The
king's physician was sent to attend me, but his green
pepper soup failed to relieve me. I became worse, and
longed for European medicine. The report of my
increasing illness brought his majesty to my bedside in
great haste, and that too at three o'clock, the hour when
he usually slept. He was surprised at my unusual colour.

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TIMES OF SICKNESS, &c. 119

and said, sympathisingly, to poor Eosa, "You have,
indeed, much trouble, white woman." I seized the oppor-
tunity to tell him I had lived too long in Africa;
that my iUness made a change to the Coast necessary,
and I entreated him to hasten our departure. He bade
me take courage, promising to send a' messenger with
letters to my friends. He then paid Kiihne a visit, to
whom his physician daily brought rice soup, mixed with
fish and vegetable.

The excitement of this interview, heightened the fever,
so that I feared I might be leaving my poor wife desolate
in this barbarous land ; but I rallied through God's mercy,
though I suffered long ftx)m extreme weakness.

Meanwhile, the long expected exchange of prisoners
took place on the Prah. Of our party, only M. Bonnat
could be present at the reception, on March 20th, of the
seventy-six Ashantees. The general joy was so great,
that many of the chiefs danced, and the liberated hastened
to shake hands with M Bonnat, whUe parents and friends
thanked the king by a loud shout. The warm heart of
the Frenchman sympathised deeply with them, and some
day, we trusted a similar festival was in store for us,
though it approached very slowly. A letter from the
prince stated that the exchange of prisoners had taken
place on the 2nd, and one of the returned captives said,
that he had not resumed his journey until five days later,
so that we knew not when we might expect his return,
and our life was more dismal than it is possible to
describe.

We had just retired to rest on Simday evening 26th,
when the death horn woke us, and in the morning we
heard that the king had danced with his wives. On
these occasions, human life is always sacrificed. The best
band of music, called the Kete, is stationed at some
distance, no man being permitted to appiroach. The in-

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120 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

struments are small drums covered with black and red
checked cloth, flutes and calibashes of diflferent sizes, in
which beans or small stones are rattled, to mark the time.
The king seldom dances this Kete dance, but when he
does, many shudder who are usually indifferent. On the
night which followed this painful entertainment, we were
alarmed by two thieves, and though a lamp was burning
in K's room, our salt bottle was stolen. Caesar met in
the yard one of the rogues carrying a torch, which he threw
down and fled. In the morning we found our saucepan
broken, and our only chicken minus a head, which the
scamp had bitten oS, It was then announced by the
town-crier, that any one stealing our property in fdture,
should be killed.

Brother K. was still very weak. His two physicians
meeting one day to consult at his bedside, quarrelled so
violently that the poor invalid jumped out in a frenzy,
and begged to be allowed to die in peace, while I urged
his being sent to the Coast as the most effective restorative.
When I begged earnestly for chickens, offering to pay for
them, the king laughed and promised. His thoughts
were occupied with the return of a chief laden with pre-
sents, a small race-horse being the most acceptable. He
had been sent two years before to Seram, a tract of country
to the north, a tributary of Ashantee, and on his arrival
danced several times before his majesty.

Brother K. struggled through, by God's help, spite of
the non-appearance of the chickens, and at length gradu-
ally recovered; but we stiU had anxiously to wait for
news from the Coast, and at the little Adae wA'e not
present^ though we received the customary nine dollars
through Bosommuru.

On Sunday, April 8th, new horrors were perpetrated.
The king went to Bantama to repair the roof of the royal
burial-place, which had been injured in the late storm.

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TIMES OF SICKNESS, ike. 121

Every ceremony connected with this building was accom-
panied by the shedding of human blood, to appease the
wrath of the deceased kings. On this occasion the cheeks
of three poor boys were perforated with knives on the
usual plan, and their hands were bound behind them.
This fearful cruelty was lightly spoken of as a very com-
mon thing.

Such victims are mostly criminals, but how trifling
often was the offence. Every one who used the king's
oath, or spoke jndely of the royal house, was laid in irons.
If a poor Odonko negro, in a fit of home sickness, tried to
escape from his cruel master, he was caught and chained.
Thus there were always a number of these doomed crea-
tures ready, for once chained they were seldom pardoned,
though it was in the power of the king to set any of
them free.

Notwithstanding this severity crime was universal, and
the ignorant degraded people sported like children with
the king of terrors. If his majesty, who alone had power
to inflict capital punishment, remitted the sentence, a
heavy fine was exacted, and the nose, ears, or lips of the
culprit were cut oS, It was by no means uncommon for
an executioner to be bribed by a young warrior that he
might be allowed to try his hand on the next culprit.

On Easter Sunday, to my great disappointment, no one
from the town appeared at our service. The people
excused themselves by saying the king had forbidden
them to come— he had only forbidden them to steal from
us. I regietted this misapprehension (if such it was)
and invited them again to visit us, especially on Sundays.
We were summoned to the palace en Monday morning,
and found the king in the court of justice. Seeing us,
Opoku called out, "Susse, come and sit here." I went
and had Major Brownell's letter given me to trans-
late. He alluded to the return of the seventy-six Ashan-

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122 MISSIONARY LIFE m ASHANTEE.

tee prisoners, stating who had died, adding that others
who had run away should be sent back when caughfc.
He then expressed the hope that his majesty would
carry out his intention of coming to terms of peace,
and permit the missionaries to go to Cape Coast as he
had promised. But alas I we were dismissed with a
bottle of rum ; and our renewed request for lads to help
us was simply met by the usual fair promises.

A few days later (15th) Bosommuru informed us that a
" European " had arrived at the Prah, sent by the gover-
nor to look after us ; and he then brought us the long
promised "serving boys." Three prisoners of war,
Kwabena Mensa, a boy of nine, Kwabena Oposo, a youth
of sixteen, and a woman of thirty-live, all sadly wasted
and very quiet, had also arrived. They were shy at
first, but after eating a palm-oil fufu became cheerful
Bosommuru then announced a visit from the king, and
commanded that our court-yard should be swept for the
occasion.

A heavy storm of rain was scarcely over when his
majesty appeared, attended by numerous followers. He-
inspected everything in our rooms, and pronounced us
comfortably settled; then entering the chapel he ex-
claimed, "it is beautiful here !" We told him it was the
place for worshipping our God, and that we met every
Sunday to pray and to read from our books ; he listened,
but made no remark. We thanked him for sending us
the promised servants, which seemingly reminded him of
another old promise, for a present of five chickens appeared
shortly after.

On April 18th, a meeting was held in the court of
justice to receive Mr. Forson, the messenger from the
English government. The grandees were quite excited,
dancing and drinking as usual Joseph, the christian
boy who had once accompanied the prince on a visit to

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TIMES OF SICKNESS, Ac, 123

us, came running from the crowd towards us, and we
went forward to join in the general welcome and shake
hands with the new arrival The rooms allotted to Mr.
Forson not being comfortable, he and Joseph took up
their quarters with us, and though he was not hasty in
revealing his plans, he seemed fiill of hope that he should
soon be able to take us with him to the Coast, but we had
been so often deceived and disappointed that we were afraid
to indulge in such pleasant anticipations. The prince
wrote to us frequently, but very cautiously, yet we
believed it was through him that Mr. Forson had come to
tiTy and negotiate our deliverance. He appeared to be
making his way ; the king had given him one of the
returned Ashantee prisoners as servant, to aid him in his
communications with the Coast, and all the released cap-
tives appeared devoted to himu

The ambassador was anxious to announce his arrival
to his friends at the Coast, and asked us to join him in
sending a messenger. To this the king objected ; not as
he said on his own account, but his large family (the
chiefs) did not understand such things ; it would there-
fore be better for us to defer writing.

At the Adae, April 23d, Mr. Forson received the same
sum as ourselves (nine dollars), and showed his thorough
acquaintance with the customs of the country by distri-
buting numerous presents to all the members of the king's
household. The next day he entered very fully into his
arrangements and plans regarding us, reading Mr. Ussher's
letter to us. It began by thanking the king for every
kindness shown us, but at the same time explained that
we had nothing whatever to do with the war, and that we
were neither British subjects or natives of the Protectorate.
Our own governments, particularly the Prussian and
Swiss, had interceded for our liberty, and he, Mr. XJssher,
was commanded to use every means in his power to effect

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124 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

the same. Mr. Forson had therefore been sent to demand
our freedom, and it was hoped the king would send us
back with the ambassador. He also read us a letter from
Brother Schrenk, in which he requested the release of my
wife, and urged the fact that our mission had several
times ransomed Ashantees or otherwise saved them, and
always cherished the idea of extending the mission-work
to Ashantee itself.

Days passed, and we heard nothing. At length a
present for Mr. Forson, far handsomer than we had expected,
arrived. It consisted of a cow, two sheep, food of all
sorts, and £18 sterling of gold dust; but he failed to
obtain an interview with his majesty, the same answer
being returned to every application — " The king is very
fond of you, but has no time." Kari-Kari was just then
engrossed with an important domestic transaction. He
had elevated one of his wives above all the rest, and had
made her a present of six villages, with six hundred in-
habitants. More than a hundred ounces of gold dust
were given away on the occasion, and the legal arrange-
ments were very important.

We were invited, with Mr. Forson, to visit the king's
favourite minister, Sabeng, a man high in office. He
showed us his treasure with great satisfaction, and his
bed covered with rich European materials ; but between
the mattress and the bedstead, we observed several golden-
handled daggers, while the caps of half a dozen execution-
ers were hanging on the walL In a yard outside were
some seventy Fetishes and charms, and large sheets of
paper were covered with Arabic signs, and verses from
the koran, &c. The mohammedans have great influence
here, though they understand little of Arabic, simply
reading and writing a few words like parrots. We under-
stood the meaning of the daggers, when we heard the
next day that this polite man not only had human

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TIMES OF SICKNESS, <kc, 125

beings sacrificed at a funeral, but had even beheaded one
of the poor creatures himself! According to a horrible
custom of this horrible country, the sons of the departed
kill many of their villagers in the streets, until the king
sends a message to stop the shedding of blood.

Mr. Forson still indulged hope of soon taking us away,
and we had even begun quietly to make preparations ;
but the long desired interview with the king, damped
our spirits. " As the affair about Akem and Elmina was
not settled, and Adu Bofo could not be questioned as to
whether and why he had plundered the Anum station,
and under what circumstances we had been taken
prisoners — ^nothing could be done until his return. All
entreaties were vain, not even Mrs. R could be set free."
After thus using every available means to gain his point,
Mr. Forson had to return alone, depressed and disap-
pointed. Another present from the king soon followed ;
it consisted of gold dust, a coat, and five slaves. Among
the latter was a man, valued at £7 15s. Od., and two
women with a young infant. *

Mr. Forson obtained a parting interview with the king,
in which his majesty spoke very fairly. Adu Bofo had
now received orders to return immediately, and if he did
not obey instantly, he had better shoot himself. " Both
the kings of Akem," continued he, " are acting equivocal
parts ; they are under your protection, but they let me
know how gladly they would ally themselves to me, and
surrender the heads of all those who shoot at the Ashan-
tees."

Mr. Forson listened patiently, and then expressed his

* In reply to the request that my wife at least might be permitted to
accompany Mr. Forson, the king said that it was impossible ; but that
in order to soften the disappointment, he intended to send her a musical
box to enliven her spirits, and what more could we desire ? In bitter
Tezation Mrs. B. ezdaimed, ** I am not a baby."

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126 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

surprise that the king had given us such an insufficient
supply of money. Whereupon followed fine promises.
On Mskj 22d, our visitor left us, and after the great excite-
ment we had gone through, quietness was a relief. He
had obtained some honey for my wife from the king,
which supplied in some measure the want of sugar, while
from the wax we were able to make candles. The prince's
boy Joseph was still with us, waiting for the payment
of twenty-three pieces of cloth, but detained, as he be-
lieved, for other reasons.

Rumours came from aU sides ; messengers were said to
be on the way from TClmina ; then it was reported the
prince himself was near, or that an Ashantee chief was
kept a prisoner at the Coast. It was then said that Adu
Bofo's army was returning in a half-starved condition,
and it was evident there was something yet to be ex-
plained, or my wife's entreaty for chickens would not hav^e
met with such prompt attention — ^four reaching us within
a few daya

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EMBASSY OF CRAWFORD AND FLANGE. 127

CHAPTER XVII.

THE EMBASSY OF MESSRS CRAWFORD AND FLANGE.

On June 5th, a murderer with his hands bound behind
him, a knife through his cheek, and two forks piercing
his back, was dragged by a rope past our rooms. Others
had been thus tortured akeady in various ways, the
vital parts of the body not being wounded. Commencing
at mid-day, the punishment increased in intensity till
eight o'clock, when the poor wretch was gashed all over,
his arms cut off, and himself compelled to dance for the
amusement of the king before being taken to the place of
execution. If he could not or would not dance, lighted
torches were applied to his wounds; to escape this
excessive torture he made the greatest eflforts to move,
tmtil the drum was beaten and the head cut off. Some
victims thus lost several of their limbs, or were pierced
by an iron rod through the calves of both legs or other
parts ; and yet murders were far more frequent here than
in the British protectorate.

We were taken by surprise on Jime 17th by a visit
from Kokoo, the vrife of R. Palm, one of the most dis-
tinguished women of Anum. She had been in Coomassie
ten days, having been captured by the Ashantees in Jime
1869. Being afterwards seperated from Palm, she had had
no intelligence of him for months — ^and only knew from
us that he was in Coomassie. The king asked her if we
had ever supplied the Anums with guns and ammunition,
whereupon she told him we had never sold weapons.

Falling on her knees before us she entreated us to take

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128 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

her in. She had not tasted food that day, and amongst
the division of prisoners which had taken place, she
alone remained behind. I felt how useful she would be
to us, having always lived with Europeans, and knowing
us so welL We therefore begged Bosommuru to speak
to the king, and in about a fortnight she was given up to
us, on condition that if we eventually went to the
Coast, she was to remain behind. Thus at the right
moment, what we so much needed was supplied, and at
the same time a box from the coast with needful articles
for my wife, arrived. Bosommuru was overwhelmed with
astonishment that so much preparation should be made
for an expected child.

The long looked for ambassadors now arrived. One of
them, a Mr. Plange, sent by the Dutch governor, lodged in
the town ; the other, Mr Crawford, who-had formerly re-
sided in Coomassie as a Wesleyan teacher, occupied the
prince's rooms, he being detained by illness, but he sent
us a letter, and mentioned how he had been traduced by
natives at Cape Coast ; and Elmina, on account of his
treaty with the king, and especially because of a letter
which he had written to Elmina by his majesty's orders.

Mr Crawford brought not only peaceful assurances from
the British colonial government, but powder, lead, and
other implements of war, which had not been allowed
over the border for three years. The governor also sent
back to the king the Ashantee prisoners who were in
Akem to shew him that nothing stood in the way of
friendly intercourse. He demanded in return that Adu
Bofo should be recalled. Nothing was said concerning
us in writing, as no doubt was felt at the Coast that Mr.
Forson would take us back with him.*

* At the same time it mast not be forgotten that the English Colonial
Government always said, " The white men -haviog been taken prisoners
outside of the Protectorate, we have no official duty to them.

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EMBASSY OF CRAWFORD AND FLANGE. 129

Privately however, the ambassador was commissioned
to effect our freedom, and, if necessary, to offer a ransom.
The chief, Akjampong, was to be set free as soon as the
king had actually sent us off. If he hesitated, the way
over the Prah was to be again blockaded.

The next day, July 2nd, was one of great rejoic-
ing. Fifteen letters fi-om our dear ones were handed
to us in one packet ; the dates spread over two years.
Oh! how much they had suffered on our account, and
how they had prayed for us in our distant home ! They
had for some time concluded we were dead, and had
worn mourning for us. The king allowed us to reply to
these letters; whether he would despatch our answers
was another question. That the message of the Dutch
ambassador also concerned us we learnt *from what
passed at his introduction to court, and still more
during a visit which he paid us. Mr. Plange was a
young man of very pre-possessing manners. He had re-
marked to the king how "green" we all looked, to
which he replied, "he had feared the climate was in-
juring our health ; but Adu Bofo," he added, " is com-
ing soon."

The hope of a ransom evidently influenced the king
more than he chose to confess, and he would wish it, he
said, to be paid in arms and ammunition, so that to the
English it might look like a present, while his people
would consider it as a, ransom.

Mr. Plange's chief business was to get an explanation
from the king about Elmina. Twenty-four ounces of gold
dust was the sum which his majesty had been accustomed
to receive for himself from the Dutch, on account of the
black men whom he sent them as recruits for Java. This
sum the king had chosen to call " tribute," which greatly
irritated the governor. Mr. Plange, the Dutch ambassador,
was therefore to request him to withdraw the word ; in

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130 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

case of his refusal to do so, the payment would be dis-
continued.

To the little Adae (June 29th) the ambassadors were not
invited, perhaps to save the usual presents. At the great
Adae (July 16th) they received nine dollars each, as much
as was divided among us four.

Between these negotiations, a day of rejoicing occurred
on July 3rd, when nineteen loads of jaws arrived from the
seat of war, as trophies of victory. Mr. Crawford alone
was present at this fete ; he described the prisoners carry-
ing the remains of the enemy on poles, two chiefs' heads
being borne in metal dishes, covered with a white cloth,
and one of the bearers being painted on the chest and
throat with red and white earth, to signify that l^e would
be sacrificed at the end of the ceremony.

More than two thousand prisoners, mostly women and
children, followed; they were accompanied by soldiers,
who wore their hair rolled up in a peculiar fashion, to
indicate that they were returning from victory. It was
said the king had sent the prisoners food before their
arrival in Coomassie, it being now so dear and scarce that
they were likely to fare badly on their entrance. We
were at this time eating maize instead of fufu.

A day of mourning followed on July 6th ; the sounds of
crying and howling being mingled with beating of drums
and blowing of horns ; while consolation was sought in
large draughts of palm wine. The names of the fallen
were called over, rightly or wrongly as the case might be,
no accurate list of them having been kept. Everything was
streaked with red earth, and Mr. Crawford found the king
dancing in the market place, surrounded by red figures.
Towards evening the death horn sounded to announce
that fourteen prisoners were to be despatched for the
fallen chiefs. Next morning I saw vultures greedily
feasting on the sacrificed, their heads lying on a heap aside.

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EMBASSY OF CRAWFORD AND FLANGE. 131

On July 18th, the king sent his sword-bearer to summon
us to another festival at Atuatu, where we saw about a
thousand prisoners from Krepi. Amongst them was
every form of misery ; the greater number had no other
clothing than a rag round their waist. Two chiefs were
carried along on men's shoulders, under red and blue
umbrellas. The prisoners belonged to two towns which
had long since surrendered; but notwithstanding this,
these poor people had been dragged from their homes,
and were equally divided between these two chiefs.

In passing, the monarch saluted me with his hand, and
enquired why he had not seen me^for some weeks past.
When I explained that 1 could not leave my wife, as any
fright might give her a shock, he laughed incredulously,
and said I had better come to see him. The chiefs of
Wusutra are said to have been bitterly disappointed by
the division of their people, and stood howling in the
market place ; behaviour which will scarcely be allowed
to pass unpunished.

The two ambassadors now wished to leave, but they
were made to understand by different signs, that they
were purposely detained. It was reported that the king
would prepare Fetish, and go to Fantee after Adu Bo£d's
return, but Bosommuru informed Mr. Crawford that a cir-
cumstance had occurred which put a different face on the
entire aspect of affairs.

"If a person comes into our kitchen and approaches
the fire on which anything is being cooked and roasts a
banana, is he not driven away or pierced through ? " (an
Ashantee proverb). This comparison is applied to
Elmina, which fort the king declared belonged to him
because, as he stated, his ancestors had paid, ages ago,
nine hundred ounces of gold for it ! When Akjampong
made this statement to the Dutch governor, he was
ordered to leave ; and because he hesitated and remained

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132 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

a month longer, he was imprisoned. It was evident
that the Ashantees sought to prevent the surrender of
Ehnina to the English. Opoku told Mr. Plange that
about a hundred ounces of gold would be demanded as
ransom for each of us, i.e., £1440 for the four I Opoku
after much delay gave us a bundle of newspapers, and
told us there was nothing about Ashantee in them, only
European news; he had convinced himself of this by
looking into them.

On August 5th, Mr. Crawford came with a serious
face; he had been insulted at the palace. The king
seemed to have determined to accept the challenge of an
Akem chief, Kofi Afua, as soon as Adu Bofo returned.
The ambassador was desired to inform his master at Cape
Coast, of his situaticm, and when he attempted to remon-
stiute, he was told, it was not for him to speak ; as if an
attack upon Akem was not, in fact, a declaration of war
against the whole Protectorate. It was evident that the
king wished to place the responsibility of war upon the
governor.

At the same time Mr. Ussher, the administrator, gave
notice to " his friend," that he was going to England on
account of his health ; until his return, Mr. Salmon would
attend to all business matters, and meet the king half-
way. What that meant was not clear, still we supposed
that he meant to tell the king negotiations must be trans-
acted on the Prah.

The Ashantee messenger Boating, who accompanied
Mr. Forson to the coast, had invited the Wesleyan mission-
aries to return to the capital, perhaps only to throw dust
in the eyes of the English. In consequence of this, Mr.
Grimmer a missionary, now enquired whether the king
would engage to send the children to school, if they
would again occupy Coomassie? We afterwards heard
from Basle that it had been proposed there, also to occupy

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EMBASSY OF CRAWFORD AND FLANGE. 133

the town as a mission station, in hope of facilitating our
release. It would have been indeed a glorious revenge,
if our captivity had brought about this fruit.

On August 14th, we were surprised by several visitors..
First came Bosommuru, with Mr. Smith, a merchant from
Anum, who was seized at the same time as Kokoo, and
had been driven about unclad till supplied by the king
with garments from our stores. They had sent him to
us, because he had spoken of himself as belonging to us
(and he had in truth often done business with us), he
now stood before us sick and miserable, arrayed in my
best black coat, my shoes, K.'s trousers, and my wife's
straw hat! He is a prisoner in another house, but
allowed to visit us, and when .he came next to see us, he
brought an old acquaintance whom the king had placed
with him. Nils Palm, the husband of our Kokoo ! People
can imagine the joy of the pair at so unexpected a meet-
ing. Palm had also been provided by the king with a
complete suit of clothes.

Then appeared the servant of Prince Ansa, Robert
Kwansa, with a letter from his master. And lastly,
Asengso, who had once made friendly exertions for us,
just returned from Cape Coast, to deliver thirty prisoners
who had been held captive at Akem. The release of these
and other Ashantees seemed to appease his majesty, and
he wrote to the governor that if the chief before
named kept himself quiet, all would be well, yet it was
desirable that Forsqn should come again to Coomassie to
settle other points.

Both the ambassadors now received their farewell
gifts, a peredwane of gold dust each (£8), and two female
slaves with a child and clothes. The queen mother and
several of the chiefs also sent them presents, and nothing
further hindered their departure, Mr. Crawford, how-

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134 MISSION-ART LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

ever, wished to remain for the expected entrance of Adu
Bofo, and of course gained the king s permission.

On June 29th, a box was broken open while we were
assembled for prayer, and nine dollars worth of gold dust
was stolen, whereupon we discharged the most guilty
of the party. Out of our last package, we selected as a
present for the king an English New Testament, and
when Joseph presented it, he wished to look into it, but
was hindered by his people, who said, " It is the Word of
God, and had better remain unopened."

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ADU BOFO'S ENTRY. 135

CHAPTER XVIII.

ADU BOFO'S ENTRY.

I HAVE already marked in my journal certain red letter
days, which were to us like an oasis in the desert. Such an
one was September 2nd of this year, when our weak faith
was again strengthened gloriously by the birth of a little
daughter. Mr. Plange was just leaving for the coast at
the very time, and conveyed this happy intelligence to
our kind friends there. Through the good offices of
Bosommuru, and even the king himself, proper attendance,
and a suitable nurse, had been provided, and our old
friend, the wife of Palm, was with us.

In the afternoon of the same happy day, there was a
grand muster of chiefs to receive Adu Bofo ; the ceremony
was described to us as very imposing, by brother K. and
M. Bonnat, who accompanied Mr. Crawford to witness it-
Ten thousand men marched past, while as many looked on ;
the highest noblemen were those from Dwabeng, Mampong,
and Bekwae — the two first pressed the hand of brother
K. The stately old prince of Mampong in mohammedan
costume had two superb horses with Moorish saddles, and
looked, with his flowing white beard, quite venerable;
the chief of Tafo was also present. In the evening, Mr.
Plange started.

On Monday the 4th, Crawford, M Bonnat, and KUhne,
went early to the market place where the army defiled
from seven in the morning until night, during which time,
chests containing the bones of the fallen chiefs, each sur-

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136 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

rounded by the wives of the deceased, were continually
carried past. The chief who falls in battle is lightly
buried, and water is poured on his grave many times a
day, for some weeks. The bones thus becoming clean, are
taken out and deposited in a chest, which, on this occasion,
was covered with rich damask silk. The women be-
smeared with red, shrieked and howled fearfully. The
chiefs who return alive, are likewise surrounded with
women, who, decked in green foliage, dance aroimd their
husbands amid songs of joy.

The number of common soldiers who fall, is denoted by
small sticks fastened to a pole, and carried by one of the
company. On this occasion however, this was omitted,
as they did not wish their heavy losses to be made
prominent.

Our old friend the general, wore a small round cap,
ornamented by buffalo's horns, and falcon's feathers, and
was accompanied by his lieutenant, Nantshi. Before
Adu Bofo was borne, the stolen bell from Ho, which for
years called the people to service, was now rung again
as the brightest trophy of the campaign. How the sound
went to our hearts! making us long that church bells
might soon send forth their invitation to the weary and
heavy laden throughout Ashantee.

I went out for a few moments in the evening to get an
idea of the review. It was really an imposing sight.
The whole market place as far as Bantama, was crowded
with people, and between them defiled the soldiers as far
as the " Coom " tree, which gives its name to the town ;
under it the cluster of large umbrellas betokened the
presence of the most important personages. As each com-
pany appeared before the king, they fired a salute, then
turning round, marched back again in a second line to
the place from whence they came. The hair of the
majority was rough and shaggy, giving their heads the

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ABU BOFO'S ENTRY. 137

look of Medusas. Their costumes were by no means uni-
form ; some wore blouses English fashion, others donned
various pieces of European clothing, but they were mostly
in native dress, rolled together under their cartridge
pouches. The chiefs appeared in dirty red and yellow
coats, ornamented with amulets, and many had caps of
antelope skin decorated with feathers, gold plates and
charms. The lookers on were mostly streaked Mdth white
or red paint, the red were the mourners, not a few of
whom stood aside, crying and shrieking.

On September 7th, the report of the campaign was
given to the king, and Adu Bofo was then honoured with
many presents, and a visit from his majesty, who, accom-
panied by his chiefs, went to the end of the Market
Place, where the army was drawn up. Kiihne and M.
Bonnat joined him there, and offered their hand to Adu
and his officers. The first presents were twenty pered-
wane of gold dust, £162, three gold bracelets, two large
umbrellas, twenty sheep, twenty loads of salt, twenty
kegs of brandy, with several other things.

There followed, of course, a day of mourning for the
slain of Ooomassie, which was kept in every village
throughout the land. Three great chiefs (one of them
prince Ansa's brother) having fallen, it was necessary to
send a considerable retinue after them into the other
world, so that the shrieks of the mourners were heard all
day, and the sounds of the horns and drums were un-
ceasing. Most of the inhabitants fasted, and were
painted red, while so much brandy was distributed that
they were staggering about the next day quite drunk.
Palm and Smith were living in a yard, where fifteen poor
prisoners lay in irons ready to be slain that day. A
woman who tried to escape was caught, and with the knife
through her cheeks was made to sit in the market place,
amidst the taunts of the crowd, till the fatal hour arrived.

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138 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

The death wake eontinued over Sunday (September
10th), but the number of victims decreased. One hundred
and thirty-six high chiefs had fallen in this war, which
gives some idea of the sacrifice of human life that followed.-
For each of the six belonging to Coomassie, thirty of their
people were killed, thirty for those of Sokora, and so on.

Our life of discipline was now varied by a domestic trial,
arising from the serious illness of our infant's nurse, which
nearly cost the little one its life. When the king first
saw it, he was delighted with its strong and healthy
appearance, lor was it not his property ? It now grew
pale and thin, and for days hope and fear alternated as to
whether it would survive. I tried to feel reconciled to
the blow that seemed impending, but trembled for my
poor wife. Oiu: days of anxious suspense were at length
graciously relieved by seeing this cherished and precious
little creature revive again, and we received her as a new
gift from our Heavenly Father.

I now paid my respects to Adu Bofo, and he honoured
us with a return visit. He was much aged, suffering
from his feet, and so intoxicated that he spoke with diffi-
culty, while a convulsive movement affected his whole
frame. He gave me a still more unpleasant impression
than when with him in the camp. He shook hands with
each of us, whereupon Bosommuru told us to thank him.
We puzzled our brains to think why, and our silence
seemed so to embarrass the chamberlain that we at last
broke it by thanking the general for his visit.

It began to rain, so his chair (one of ours), was brought
that he might sit with us. He talked about the war,
directing his remarks chiefly to Bosommuru. He seemed
to have attained the height of his ambition, spoke of his
slaves, umbrellas and gold, .though he wanted more of
that, and hoped to get it. People had often said he
would never come home, he was too ill, and suffered from

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ABU BOFO'S ENTRY. 139

sleepless nights, and that he dreaded the journey back.
Why should he have feared ? If he had been a murderer,
surely the king would not have loaded him Mdth presents !"
At length the rain ceasing, he rose and left.

A bright and beautiful Sunday was the 24th of Sept-
ember to us, when under the shade of the orange and
mango trees, I baptised our little one in the presence of
our people. Bosommuru, whom I invited, remained with
^thirty of his attendants during the service, and heard
what I said. When I sprinkled the forehead of the little
Bosa Augustine Louise, he could not conceal his astonish-
ment. Thus was our dear child's, the first baptism
celebrated in Coomassie — ^may many yet follow.

Scarcely had we returned to our room, when a heavy
thunder-storm broke upon us, but we sat down with
Joseph, and Robert Kwansa, to a social meal, followed by
some confectionery made from the flour we had lately re-
ceived. The mulattos. Smith and Palm, were also present,
and the rest of our people received an extra meal, which
made them wish that baptisms would occur daily.

I soon after spoke to Bosommuru on a subject which
had long troubled me, and asked him if I might proclaim
the gospel in the streets. He replied that the king had
often wondered why we did not celebrate our worship
thus, and that he would like to come and listen when we
preached the word of God. So on the 1st October, I held
my first open-air service, and about a hundred people, be-
sides Bosommuru and his, gi*eat retinue, heard me tell of
God's love to men. His horror of sin, and how He blessed
those who truly seek Him. I made it pretty short, that
the hearers might not tire, and trust that God's power
came to the help of my weakness.

Meanwhile, our days passed on as usual, whilst at
the coasfc, it was fully expected we were returning with
the ambassadors. These latter were detained at Fomana^

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140 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

impatiently waiting for the king's messenger, a cousin of
Prince Ansa's (Kwado by name), who had not started be-
fore October, taking with him payment for the goods
which had been sent here, in the shape of slaves.

British subjects, even Government native officials, did
not hesitate to settle accounts thus, quieting their con-
sciences perhaps with the thought that these poor crea-
tures, whom they exchanged on the way for ready money,
might thus fall into better hands than if they had
remained in Coomassie. The governor however, at last
interfered and forbade this questionable trade until the
arrival of further instructions from England.

The jealousy that existed among the chiefs made the
greatest care necessary on our part, lest we might be the
means of causing more intrigues than already existed.
A great disturbance had occurred in the palace in eon-
sequence of a robbery. The keeper of the king s sandals /
had during the last two years sold several cast off pairs. '
The king found it out, and demanded the name of the
buyer, to whom he said, " I do not like any one to dis-
honour my talisman " (referring to the Arabic writing on
the sandals). The affair was brought into court, the man
was beheaded, and twenty people imprisoned, six of
whom were bound in irons, but at length the king,
wearied of prosecuting the affair, pardoned the criminals.

On October 2nd, liis majesty sent me my violin, with
an enquiry how to play on it, so little sense of shame did
he exhibit in the possession of other people's goods.

Our little girl excited the deepest interest in those
around Us, and many a visitor did she receive. One
mohammedan presented her with a shilling, a verj'- accept-
able perquisite to the nurse and Kokoo.

Meanwhile our open-air service continued to be a great
source of joy for us. Deeply did I feel my weakness, but
took comfort in the thought that God often chooses "the

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ALU BOFffS ENTRY. 141

weak things of the world to confound the things which
are mighty." Nearly fifty people came on Sunday, and
when I remembered how twenty-eight years before the
Wesleyans had preached in these streets without encour-
agement, I was cheered, and rejoiced that at least the
people listened attentively. Meanwhile the sacrifices
continued, it seemed as if things would never change,
and our feelings were lacerated afresh at this time by the
celebration of another of these heathen observances. A
great brass basin in the middle of the market place
represents the market Fetish, into which, after every
campaign, a stone is thrown, thus enabling one to count
by their number how many times Ashantee had been to
war. On this occasion, a boy from Krepe, his whole body
painted white, was led to the basin, and a stone was thrown
in, whilst an orator informed the Fetish that in gratitude
for his protection during the campaign a slave was herewith
— ^not sacrificed, happily — ^but consecrated to him. From
thenceforth this boy belonged to the Fetish, and waited
upon him daily with food, freely supplied from the market.

The clouds of the political horizon did not dissipate, for
while Ashantee traders went in crowds to the coast, cross-
ing the boundary as they chose, others wishing to make
the same journey, were detained in Fomana, because this
or tha,t point was not cleared up. The king simmioned
prince Ansa, whose advice he greatly needed, but without
bearers to meet him, the prince could not defray the
expenses of the journey. At length the inevitable effect
of such proceedings occurred — the trade in powder and
arms was stopped by the English government.

A few days ago, the king rose in anger from his
council, and withdrew raging to his room, calliug for his
Kete bund, * a sign that he was in one of his worst

• For description of this music, we refer the reader to pp. 119 and 120.

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142 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

humours. The councillors were beside themselves -with
excitement, and the people on the market place gathered
up their wares, and fled trembling into their houses;
nothing but absolute necessity made any of them leave
their homes that night.*

It was just about this time that I one day found a
pair of my shoes offered for sale in the market, and gladly
bought them. Soon after, one of the king's sons appeared
in a dress belonging to my wife.

I had now the joy of helping a poor starving woman I
saw lying in the market place, seeming to have but an
hour to live. Accustomed as I was to horrors, so sorrow-
ful a sight I had never beheld. Two of our boys brought
her with difficulty into our house, where in a few days she
recovered sufficiently to walk with a stick. Her mistress
had sent her away sick, with the words, '' Go into the
bush and die." A musselman who spoke her language,
told us she was a Fula, which accounted for her not hav-
ing been killed, as mohammedan Fulas are not put to
death by the Ashant^es. A fortnight later she died,
thankful for our kindness.

Soon afterwards, another woman in fetters fled to us for
protection, whom we succeeded in getting set at liberty,
and three days later, a man rushed breathless into Kiihne's
room, trying ^o hide himself under the bed. As soon as
the poor fellow was sufficiently recovered to speak, he told
us that six weeks before he had used the oath of the king,
had been found guilty, and placed in the stocks. After
many fruitless efforts, he had succeeded in extricating his
emaciated hand, and had run to us for protection.

The earlier missionaries had been allowed the privi-

* We heard soon after, that the cause of the king's aoger had been
some tricks which his chiefs had played him, in regard to the
succession of the chieftainship of Nouta. In the night, an iofluential
man of that town, and a linguist of Goomassie, were killed.

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ALU BUFaS ENTRY. 143

lege of interceding for the lives of those who fled to
them, so we begged Bosommuru to aSsk the king to pardon
this man. The courtier was astonished, but wiUing to
fulfil our request, only remarking that the Ashantee out
of whose house the prisoner had come, would have to
pay a heavy penalty. In the evening the king replied
that " we must not let the man go at present." It was,
perhaps, difficult for him to grant an immediate pardon,
as many sacrifices had to be offered the following Satur-
day, when he was going to Kokofu to the funeral of his
uncle, which was to be celebrated with great splendour.
However quiet this plan had been kept, the poor creature
must have heard of it.

He was a singular man. As he lived the whole day
in the yard, we proposed to him to help to pound the
fufu, not that we needed his assistance, 'but simply that
he might not be idle. To this he replied, " I am an
Ashantee, one of the king's slaves. I have never done
such a thing." My wife then proposed to give him soap
to wash his clothes, but this also he considered unbecom-
ing his dignity. He would not join in our devotions,
though he sat a few times with us under protest, and at
length he escaped to the house of Palm's master, giving
as his reason that he could not understand when we
invoked our God. We again pleaded for his pardon,
and he was allowed to return to his own people.

By degrees it became apparent that the king s mini-
sters were getting anxious about the results of their
equivocating behaviour. They pretended to wish for
peace, and yet could not rest without fighting. A vassal
of Ashantee, a prince of Safwi, had sent some troops to a
certain chief of Apolonia, named Amontiful, who had
sought the protection of the king of Kwantiabo. These
troops came to the coast, and were beaten by the English
allies of Apolonia, and as a chief fell in these operations,

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144 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

hi^ head and the gold plate which he wore, were sent to
Cape Coast, which led the authorities there to the conclu-
sion, that Ashantee was secretly concerned in the disturb-
ances there. The king requested our assistance in writing
a letter to justify himself to the governor, in which he
said that he had, sent for this chief of Safwi to kill him,
and therefore asked his excellency to send a messenger as
witness of the execution, assuring him that this captain
had gone to war without orders from Coomassie, for Kari-
Kari had always urged the upholding of peace, &c.

We wiU now describe the ftmeral festivities of Kokofu.
After a number of human sacrifices, the king set oiF, ac-
companied by five-sixths of the inhabitants of Coomassie,
and about thirty other victims all bound, and with the knife
through their cheeks. We were afterwards told that more
than two hundred human beings were sacrificed, the king
beheading several with his own hand, who were held up
before him, that he might not be obliged to stoop. Some
were shot in the forest, and forty were killed on the first
day. He was enthusiastically received on his return, and
we could not escape the horrible entertainment. The
slaughterers danced in the faint light of the torches, like
people possessed by evil spirits, as doubtless they were,
and nearly all were drunk. At the very moment we felt
the greatest horror of him, the king not only came and
danced before us, but gave each of us his hand. We had
always heard that he only did this at private interviews,
and now, as he strutted along, adorned with gold, and ar-
rayed in purple, while some supported him under the
arms, and others swept away the little stones before his
feet, it was an extraordinary mark of friendship.

Another strange thing happened on that same evening.
Some eunuchs approached, armed with bush knives, cry-
ing " Fwe," *' Fwe." Everyone remained sitting, and saw
the numerous women of the army, and forty-five ladies of

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ABTJ BOFO'S ENTRY. 145

the Seraglio with them, pass quietly by. They were all
walking, even those attired in silk, and looked very weary,
with the exception of the last in the procession, who sat
with her child in a sedan chair, surrounded by the regal
state of a chief, sword-bearers, courtiers, etc. Behind her
appeared the queen mother, who greeted us very kindly,
and the king's brother who had danced before us. Had
we not been already so weary of our stay (it was nearly
a year since our entrance into Coomassie), this sort of
state pageant might have made a great impression upon
us; as it was, we were very very sad, and, in many
respects, less hopeful than before.

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146 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

CHAPTER XIX.

YAMS AND CHRISTBiAS FESTIVALS.

December, 1871.
At last the question of sending us to the Coast was
again mooted, from the cause we proceed to explain.
Adu Bofo had handed over his nephew, Kwame Opoku,
two years ago, to the Krobos, as a pledge for us, and he
had been immediately sent to Cape Coast. On December
9th, a letter arrived from this same Opoku, which we
were summoned to translate. He desired that we should
speak to the king, asking that he might be recalled. The
governor had told him that after his uncle, Adu Bofo's
return, the white men were to be liberated, but as they
had not come he was detained. Meanwhile, he suffered
from hunger, his daily allowance having been diminished
in consequence of the grumbling of other Ashantees.
Would the king come to his relief. We took the oppor-
tunity of remarking that each of these Ashantees received
eleven doUars every three weeks, while we had only
nine to divide among four of us.

Bosommuru brought also letters from his relations to
M. Bonnat, wondering greatly that they contained no
gold, but he was told that in France they trusted the rich
king of Ashantee to treat his prisoners honourably. We
further complained that the promised salt did not
arrive, and that our boxes from the colony were detained,
so that we thought of asking the king for a piece of
land to cultivate. " In short," said we, " our position grows

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YAMS AND CHRISTMAS FESTIVALS. Ut

worse every day, and has become quite unbearable."
Upon hearing this, the chamberlain became very angiy
with Opoku, " who had turned our heads." He remarked
that if the king sent us back in about six months, it
would not be worth while to begin a plantation, still he
would think of it.

The preparation for the yam festival now began in
earnest. All the public seats (Dampans) were whitened,
the royal seats in the streets entirely renewed. The talk
of the day was of what had happened to a nephew of
prince Ansa, Kofi Antschi, who had abused a prince be-
cause he had carried away his wife, and had also used
the oath of the king. He had been for ten days in irons,
but escaped in the night, and took refuge with the Fetish
in Adjuman. He got off at last, with a fine of thirteen
Peredwane, 67J ounces of gold. A brother of prince
Ansa's, who had gone wrong with two ladies of royal
blood, fared worse. The king tried for a long time to
change the sentence of death against him, to one of banish-
ment, but his counsellors demurred, because the crime was
one of a very unusual character, so the prince was to be
killed, and his accomplices also. Persons of royal blood
were not however beheaded, but shot or drowned, or their
necks broken with an ivory tusk.

On the day of preparation for the feast (December 14th),
the king went through the town to assure himself of the
renewing of the "Dampans." If the decorations had
fallen, or the roofs were leaking or patched, no notice was
taken, but the top must be well whitened.

The procession was more warlike than that of the
preceding year. Behind every chief the soldiers shouted
a wild war song, of which we often heard the words, " if
you meet him, meet him to his destruction," and they beat
time with their weapons held aloft. After the king had
greeted and honoured us with a bottle of rum, he

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148 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

stepped across with some mohammedans, who were
awaiting him in the market place, dressed in new bright
attire. They held an ox, the throat of which was now cut
by the king.

On the evening of the 14th, Bosommiiru brought a
letter from Mr Ferguson, the governor of Elmina, written
in German, and addressed to Kiihne. It was intended for
the king, thanking him for the satisfactory answer
brought by Mr. Plange, but begging him to conclude a
peace with the Fantees. It urged him to set the four
innocent white prisoners free at once, and thus give the
Dutch governor a proof of his friendship. It stated that
Akjampong was already released, and it was hoped that
the king would act on the same prompt plan towards his
prisoners that all might see how warmly his heart beat
for his " friends." K. translated this letter for the palace.
On the envelope was written, in prince Ansa's hand, " I
am coming."

Meanwhile the feast took place. On the 16th, the
chiefs and warriors streamed into the town more noisily
than usual, and the king's wives, decked with gold, their
bodies besmeared with yellow green powder, passed
through the streets, without the men withdrawing. The
gigantic prince of Mampong, sworn enemy of all formality,
shook hands with us heartily, while the "brafo" and
'* adumfo " (executioners), coloured red, danced with long
chains of jawbones round their necks, which rattled like
castinettes, drank something which looked like blood, and
ate their feast together out of a monstrous dish, in the
middle of the reception place. On the next day all laws
were abrogated, and every one drinking freely was per-
mitted to do that which seemed good in his own eyes.
Even funerals were celebrated for those who had suffered
capital punishment

The great day was, of course, consecrated by a festival

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YAMS AND CHRISTMAS FESTIVALS. 149

offering, and any stray person at the palace door might
be suddenly attacked, slaughtered, and divided between
the *' brafos" and " adumfos." One took a finger, another
an arm or foot, and whoever obtained the head, danced in
crazy ecstacy, painted its forehead red and white, kissed it
on the mouth, laughing or with mocking words of pity,
and finally hung it round his neck, or seized it with his
teeth. Another took out the heart and roasted it, carried
it in one hand, and a loaf of maize bread in the other,
and walked about as if he were eating his break-
fast.

The king (in common with his people) had disfigured
his face with red stripes, and wore a black helmet, on
which were engraved many gold crowns. The pomp and
display on this occasion, gave me a deeper impression of
the riches of Ashantee, than I had ever before received.

In the evening, they brought the skulls of their most
important enemies from the mausoleum at Bantama, and
placed them in the stillness of night in front of the Fetish,
solemnly enquiring after the state of their spirits.
Amongst them was the skull of Sir Charles Macarthy, who
was killed in the battle of Esamako in 1824, and since
kept in a brass basin, covered with a white cloth. We
did not see this, but we met some forty men, each bearing
a skull in his hand, round the forehead of which, a red
rag was thrown, leaping, cursing and jumping, in the
wildest confusion. The whole affair was the more dis-
tressing to us, as it happened on a Sunday, and we thought
of the change which might come over this land; if Christ-
endom took the misery of such people more to heart.

On the last great day of the festival (December 22nd) the
king, before eating the new yams, washed himself in
fetish water, brought in bottles from distant springs,
sacred to the fetish. It was poured into basins in which
the chiefs performed frequent ablutions during the day.

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150 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

and also sprinkled their chairs. On that occasion the
king's wives may be seen, so my wife went with our baby
to one of the Dampans, when all crowded round us to
look at the little one, calling her " Amma Coomassie ; "♦
" 'tis a miracle — they are children of the gods," we heard
them exclaiming, and often the enquiry, " which is the
wife ? " was made especially by the women, who could
not take their eyes off the little Rosa.

The queen mother was passing as we arrived, with the
glass and silver ornaments, followed by the eunuchs with
the women. It appeared that the prohibition to look at
them was again in force, for the men retired, and only a
few mohammedans were allowed to remain beside us.

The ladies appeared in groups, with a highly decorated
leader at their head, which gave one the idea that the
female part of the court was well organised. The
favourites were dressed in silks, velvets, and gold orna-
ments, while others followed in more simple or even mean
attire. Between each group came eunuchs with little
boys and girls, who carried small boxes of play things.
The women had a long chewing stick in their hands, so
that they could rub their teeth when they pleased. The
most richly ornamented was evidently the first wife who,
in virtue of her dignity, did not remove her stick from
her mouth. Every age was represented, from young girls
to grey-headed mothers. Some of them had been the
wives of four or five kings.

As we could scarcely distinguish the court ladies from
the king's wives, we cannot give their number, but it
seemed as if those who went past with bowed heads were
the real wives, and I counted from two hundred and fifty
to two hundred and sixty of these, so that with invalids

* *' The Saturday daughter of Coomassie," all girls being called after
the day of the week on which they are bom. See note at the close of
the chapter.

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YAMS AND CHRISTMAS FESTIVALS. 151

and others necessarily absent, the total number cannot be
less than three hundred ladies. That however is not
known to any Ashantee. These are kept in such good
order by the eunuchs that I only saw one cast a stolen
glance at our little Rosa, though, doubtless, they all
wished to see the white baby.

The king's eye beamed with joy when he looked at
her, as he turned to his people on both sides of hi^ sedan,
and pointed laughing to the babe on its mother's lap.
This was a sign for hundreds of black heads to show us —
shouting, laughing, and singing — ^their white teeth. His
majesty may well be proud, for none of his predecessors
have ever been able to boast such white property, which
will ever be spoken and simg of with great exultation
throughout Ashantee, and he evidently thought much of
the honour. His looking-glass, which is always carried
with him, was on this occasion so large that two men
could hardly stand upright under it. About seventy
beared of sheep followed, hundreds of which were
slaughtered.

Very simple, in comparison, was our yam festival, i.e.,
Christmas-day. We had given Bosommuru due notice
but the king only sent us a sheep and a load of yams-
salt was wanting, and nothing had arrived from the Coasi
We had to relinquish the idea of an intended feast for ou.
people, our purse being very low, and could only give
them an extra fufiL Indeed, our means had become so
limited, that we seriously thought of making a change in
our household. Joseph had been entruster' with it
hitherto, but too many people were supported at our ex-
pense, and our own folks were fed sparingly, while our
stores vanished unaccountably. The kitchen was always
open, and it was perfectly impossible to exercise any con-
troL We determined therefore, that in future we would
provide for ourselves only, leaving prince Ansa's people

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152 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

to care for themselves^ so we divided with them our Adae
money, and tried the experiment.

Note, — "The Saturday daughter of Coomasne." The girls* names
are aooording to the days of the week: —

1. Akoeua, (Akwasibwa).

2. Adjowa.

3. Abena.

4. Akuwa.

5. Yawa (also Aba, Ayaba).

6. Ya (Afiwa, Afwa).

7. Amma (or Amemenewa).

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THE RANSOM MONET. 153

CHAPTER XX.

PRINCE ansa's transactions ABOUT THE RANSOM MONEY.

The close of the year 1871, found us in no small commo-
tion, for though it was Sunday, yet Caesar, who had
hitherto remained in Fomana, brought a letter from the
prince, which informed us that he was already near — only
three miles from the capital, where an extraordinarily
grand Adae was to be celebrated, at which we must be
present.

One of the king's proclamations gave us real pleasure,
for it seemed indicative of peace ; the sounding of a gong
announced that the ruined Dampans were to be restored.
We took courage from the fact that the king appeared to
have discovered how the marks of decay were becoming
apparent in the town ; we supposed that if it werQ to be
again restored, we should have peace.

We spent the evening with Palm, Joseph, and Robert,
drinking coffee without milk or sugar, and eating our
maize bread, and a little marmalade, the remains of former
prosperity. We drew lots from our text books, and
talked of the past, and of the future, until the year 1872
opened upon us.

On the evening of this New Year's day, we found our-
selves in the reception place of Mogyawee, and by torch-
light saw prince Ansa in uniform, with gold epaulets, his
sword by his side, just as he was being joyfully welcomed
by the king and the court. Our hearts did indeed beat,
as we pressed the hand of our friend, and his face beamed

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154 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASEANTEE.

as we returned the pressure. Then at our simple supper,
he rejoiced us with letters, a photograph of our lost
darling, returned to us from Switzerland, and the news of
ten boxes, which he had brought for us from the coast,
thus putting a temporary end to our poverty. No sugar
had come, and only six ounces of money, but there was
that which we valued far more, the whole Tschi bible in
one volume. What grace had Gk)d given to our dear
Christaller, in permitting him to complete this work I
The prince too rejoiced greatly, for he could now read
the word of God in his mother-tongue.

But our return seemed as far off as ever, though the
governor urged it, and hinted at unpleasant consequences
in case of a refusal. The way to the Coast being already
blocked, the king manifests little concern, or he would
surely not have left such an important matter in the
hands of his councillors. He did not perceive that he
was exposing his weak point to the English Govern-
ment, and that he might live to regret it. But there was
no time for reflection just then, for we had to finish the
celebration of the festivity of the protecting deity of
the dynasty. Bosommuru addressed the people through-
out an entire day ; when the whole aristocracy sprinkled
themselves with fetish water, and danced in white in
honour of the god, who is represented by a pretty little
chest about one and a quarter feet square, with rich silver
clasps, and a lid of leather in the form of bellows. The
feast lasted three weeks, and closed on Friday, January
13th, which was specially kept as a day of purification in
honour of the " king's souls," he having been bom on a
a Friday, hence his name (Kofi ; Friday *).

Whoever wished to honour him appeared on that day

* The names of boys were according to the days of the week, as
follows : — 1 Kwasi, 2 Quadwo (or Kwadjo), 3 Kwabena, 4 Kwakn,
6 Yaw (Kwaw), 6 Kofi, 7 Kwame.

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THE RANSOM MONEY. 155

in white garments, and painted white on the breast,
shoulders, and forehead. We saw hundreds of these '' ser-
vants" of the "king's souls," who enjoyed the preroga-
tive of not being beaten or insulted by anyone. What
the "king's souls" exactly were, remained a mystery.
One must just suppose it a " protecting god," personified
by a silver urn filled with gold.

The prince accompanied us to the festival, where we,
with many others, saw the " king s souls " carried past.
Our baby was with us, and greatly delighted both the
king and his mother, whose astonishment found no ex-
pression. One of the bystanders directly named it, " a
thing of the gods."

The next day we distributed our presents. To the
king we gave a piece of violet velvet, and four of foulard
silk; to the queen mother, two looking-glasses, some
soap, hair-oil, and Eau de Cologne ; to the king's brother,
Mensa, and to Bosommuru, such things as we thought
would please. The latter afterwards gave his Eau de
Cologne to the king.

In private conversation with Ansa, the king appeared
kindly disposed towards us, and owned that the campaign
against which the prince had warned him was a mistake.
But anxious as he was for peace, and a flourishing trade
with the Coast (for he is very desirous to possess manu-
factured goods) ; wishful also as he was to see his chief,
Akjampong liberated, he showed no disposition to let us
go : though he allowed us to send for sugar and money,
and was ready to do us any little service. Ansa did not
think he was aiming at a ransom. Remembering how in
1826, after the battle of Dudowa, the English had sent
back the king's own grandmother, and other princesses,
without any recompense, although they were actually
prisoners of war — " It would be such a disgrace," he said,
" to sell the missionaries ! " But money was an important

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156 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

thing in the eyes of the chiefs ; even Adu Bofo had been
Beriously accused of having plundered our station to
enrich himself, and on this occasion we were almost
brought forward as witnesses.

In the midst of all these disturbing questions, our
friend Smith, the mulatto, was called away by death.
He had welcomed our visits, and liked us to pray with
him, and we trust had really given himself to the Lord,
who casteth out none that come to Him. I buried him
on Sunday, January 21st, and spoke from the words, " K
any man keep my sayings, he shall never see death." No
one from the town was present, but the king afterwards
sent us four dollars and a half to defray the funeral costs.
The following Sunday, we united with the prince and
Joseph in taking the Lord's Supper, and in the afternoon
we preached in the street ; many gathered round to listen,
and the king's favourite, Sabeng, enquired the time of
service^ and a week later, attended with his followers, to
hear us tell of God's love to poor sinners.

The barricading of the boundary greatly enraged the
king. On January 22nd, a man returned, his mission un-
accomplished, with the message that, " The English will
not have anything to do with Ashantee, until the king
had let the Europeans go." The Fantees had scornfully
added, "Only buy powder and shot, and we will fight
you."

In vain did the prince try to soften matters ; urged on
by the company around, the king exclaimed excitedly,
" Are not the white men my property ? Can I not set
them at liberty when I like ? "

On the night of the 29th, Kotiko first gave his report
of his mission to the coast in the preceding year, and in a
few well chosen words, did full justice to the prince's en-
treaties for peace. The prince then read the governor's
letter, the main point of which was, that he must return

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THE RANSOM MONEY. 157

to the Coast, bringing the white prisoners, if public inter-
course was to be reopened. After several questions, the
king exclaimed, "Well, I will try and let you go back
soon,"

The prince's own brother then spoke so bitterly
about the way being closed, that Ansa declared it had
been mainly his own doing, giving his reason. While
living in Cape Coast, he had been repeatedly solicited to
intercede for the Ashantee traders, when they got into
difficulties with Fantees. Now that he was away, there
would be no one who understood English, and had, at the
same time, the good of the Ashantees at heart. He there-
fore, conjointly with Kotiko and Afirifa, the representa-
tives of Ashantee, thought it best for communication to
cease, so that during his absence, no inextricable compli-
cations might occur. The monarch, and nearly all the
council, agreed with the rules which had been adopted,
but they were opposed by Ansa's brother, and the queen
mother. We are evidently held in such high value, that
it will be hard to secure our release; indeed I was
gravely asked by one person, whether we were not
relatives of Queen Victoria.

When prince Ansa was privately sounded as to his
opinion with regard to a demand for ransom, he replied :
" If this question is seriously mooted, I beg to be spared
the disgrace of carrying any message on the subject to
the Coast ; you must send another person."

The matter was left in abeyance during the celebration
of a festival in honour of the king's guardian spirits, which
was accompanied by the sacrifice of numberless animals,
and dancing on the part of his majesty. At length, on
February 17th, all of us were summoned to appear in the
royal presence. We found the king and his mother
seated on an elevated throne, and the counsel of chiefs
gathered round them; but we had scarcely taken our

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158 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

places when an alarm of fire in the town caused the
whole assembly to decamp in a hurry, and half an hour
elapsed before the royal personages reappeared, and we
were once more permitted to stand before them in the
blazing heat of noonday sunshine.

The king commenced proceedings by informing his
chiefs that his friend the governor desired our liberation ;
he readily granted the advisability of complying with the
request, but would be glad to hear whether Adu Bofo
agreed in his views. I had been accompanied to this in-
terview by my wife and our child, for I really had ven-
tured to think something might come of it ; but on hear-
ing this my fair vision of hope suddenly collapsed, and
I despatched her homewards with little Rosie, who was
growing tired and fretful.

Adu Bofo simulated surprise, and pretended to confer
for some moments with his friends. Very soon however
he began to explain that Asen, Akem, Akra, and Aknapem,
which all formerly belonged to Ashantee, had been drawn
over to serve the white men, who on their part had sub-
sequently broken then* treaty of peace with Ashantee by
refusing to give up a runaway chief The king here re-
marked that these were matters of the past, which need
not be stirred up afresh. " At all events," replied Adu
Bofo, " the right thing would be to regain our authority
over these tribes. I have been to war I" he shouted ; " I
have gained victories, used much powder, and lost more
than a thousand men, and now am I to give up all that
has been gained ? No!" he roared, with furious glances
in our direction, " never, never will I let these prisoners
go free ! never, I say !"

When asked to reconsider his sentence, he again ap-
peared to reflect, and then began: "The wish of his
heart," said he, in a deprecating manner, " was never to
give up the white men; but to please the king, his

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THE RANSOM MONEY. 169

father, he would agree to their release, but not without a
ransom. " We will sell them," he added, " or I will never
consent to let them go." Several others were then asked
their opinion ; that of the town chiefs agreed with Adu s,
so did the representatives from Dwaben, Nsuta, and Bek-
wae, and the king's speakers, Opoku and Nantschi, took
the same view. One Coomassie chief however, backed by
the princes of Mampong and Adanse, spoke thus : " If his
majesty deem it advisable to set the white men free, it
seems better to us to let them go without any ransom.
K that cannot be done, we are for war."

Then followed a general grumbling, scofBng and confu-
sion, on which the opponents repeated in decided tones,
" This is our firm and well-weighed conclusion," and retired.
Prince Ansa was then requested to withdraw with Kotiko,
and reflect upon an answer to the decision of the council.
He drew us aside for conference, not however without
opposition, which the king silenced. Kuhne and I were
of opinion that mission money ought not to be taken for
such a purpose, and M. Bonnat said that he had lost all
his property in Ho, and that instead of pajdng an im-
possible sum, he would rather stay in Coomassie.

The brothers Afirifas (who were still held in Cape
Coast), wished the prince to ascertain the exact sum de-
sired, that he might inform the governor. The king told
Adu Bofo to express his wishes ; he replied, " The king
may demand a thousand peredwane ; I, as his slave eight
hundred" (£6,480). The prince was then asked his
opinion, which he declined to give, saying he had not
come to make bargains, but simply to bring the king's
answer to the governor. " Would he himself then go to
Cape Coast ? " they asked. " Yes," he replied, whereupon
the meeting broke up.

This comedy was not so well played, but that we could
see through tiie whole plan, still it was o\ir impression

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160 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

that the propelling power was not Adu Bofo individually,
but the so-called " Kotoko ; *' the assembly of speakers,
old miserly fellows, to whom the good of their country
was a mere trifle, compared with the filling of their own
coffers. We returned home deeply distressed. There
seemed no hope of a peaceful solution of our difficulties.
We felt that Ashantee would have to be humbled, for
thousands of murdered victims were crying to heaven,
while we who so gladly would have brought peace, must
be the means of biinging misfortune upon this blinded
land ! Oh, how much we wished and hoped that after
we were set free a mission might be established in
Ashantee! Yea, that we might even work in it our-
selves ! But what insurmountable barriers seemed still in
the way !

In a private conversation with the king, prince Ansa
represented to him the disgrace and shame he was bring-
ing upon his country; but he said he could not act
'• against his people, so few were on our side."

The next day was Sunday, and the sad thought came
within me, " Shall I continue to preach to a people who
seem so unworthy ? " but overcoming the temptation, I
went forth, and found not only more listeners, but a
readier tongue, a greater joy. . How could the poor
people help having such leaders ?

After further discussion, which was altogether fruitless,
the royal answer was despatched to the Coast on Feb-
ruary 20th. It ran thus, " Tell the governor that I and
my great men have decided that the treaty of peace shall
be entered upon as soon as the ransom is paid to Adu
Bofo, and not before." This was signed for the king by
his linguists, each with his signet, witnessed by three
European prisoners.

We announced at the same time to the government our
views of the state of things, and hinted that nothing but

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THE RANSOM MONET. 161

a continued barricading of the borders would bring the
Ashantees to their senses. We also called the governor's
attention to the fact that this time the court had not con-
descended to give any return presents to the ambassador
of the colonial government, whereas to the former deputies
they had been lavishly dealt out. Neither had anything
been given for his maintenance, four and a half dollars on
each Adae being all he had received from the king, so that
he found himself in no small pecuniary embarrassment.

While thus standing as it were on a volcano, the king
continued to delay Ansa's departure, professing that he
must first pay for the goods he had brought him from the
Coast, and also siettle another account. Ashantee had taken
goods from Asen to the value of seventeen peredwane,
during the last two or three years, a debt which Kari-
Kari acknowledged. The governor had therefore
advanced it to the prince of Asen, to prevent further
quarrels. Ansa was ashamed to return without this
money, but this annoyance was not spared him, for on
March the 17th the chamberlains announced that it had
been decided to delay payment imtil the ransom could be
obtained — ^a most revolting proceeding.

The prince preached in the streets the same evening
on the words, "The wages of sin is death." How
humbled I felt, and how I longed to be able to speak
as clearly and fluently as he did.

An important decision arose out of Ansa's delayed de-
parture, on a subject I had been pondering unknown to my
wife, till she one day said she would almost rather stay
where we were, than agree to an exorbitant siun being paid
for our ransom. We duly weighed the matter, and then pro-
posed that should our committee approve, we were ready to
remain, believing that if we were once away, others would
scarcely have the courage to start a mission in Ashantee.

Of course many things had to be considered, ,such as

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162 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

what was to be done if a war broke out, shutting us
up entirely from all communication with the Coast, or
in case of severe illness. We felt, however, we could
leave the future. Mr Kiihne was perplexed for a time,
partly because he had come on mercantile business, partly
because he could not get on well with the language, but
he finally agreed, and the prince departed with our varied
communications, leaving us once more alone.
' Just before Ansa's departure, one of his servants, a Fanti,
had taken a leaf of a particular tree to clean his " cala-
bash." The tree was a sacred one, which the Fanti did
not know. He was however observed and led away, his
master was but too well aware of the danger, for he had
seen a youth beheaded under the same tree for a similar
offence ; but the king was induced to commute his punish-
ment, and command that a sheep provided by the prince
should be sacrificed instead of the boy. Unpleasant as it
was for him to be thus involved in the superstitions of his
country, he sent four dollars and a half to Bosommuru to
buy the sheep and carry out the king's command, but
eventually the king sustituted a sheep of his own, feeling
appai'ently ashamed at his shabby treatment of Ansa.

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PROLONGED WAITING. 163

CHAPTER XXI.

PROLONGED WAITING DURING A REVOLUTION IN THE
COLONIAL POLITICS.

One night a light-coloured youth from Aja, a mountain in
Krepe, a district assigned by the king to the chief Kwasi
Domfe (with whom J. Smith and Palm had lived),
rushed trembling into our kitchen. The chiefs mother
having died, several men were appointed to be slain, one
of vrhom was missed at the last moment. The lad
happened to be near when this was announced to Kwasi,
who angrily rejoined, " Then take this boy quickly and
kill him instead.'* The intended victim cleared the court
with one bound, hid in a bush till night, and then escaped
unperceived to the white men. We took him in, promis-
ing if possible to save his life, but failing to find Bosom-
muru the next morning in his house, had to follow him to
the palace, and had not made our errand clear to him be-
fore he was summoned to the king sitting in court,
whither we were soon ordered to foUow.

We entered amid more noise than we usually encountered
in the market-place, for a plaintiflF was screaming to make
himself heard above his surroundings. While trying
with Joseph's help to explain my business, the king, to
my great astonishment, bid me speak for myself. A com-
plete silence ensued while I endeavoured to tell my story,
and when I ceased, his majesty, in company with all the
assembly, united in a hearty laugh, for my foreign accent
and my ignorance of the terms used in court amused them

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164 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

greatly; I gained my object however, and was assured
the youth had nothing further to fear. We kept this lad
(Kwaku by name) with us, and he was only too glad to
remain and work in our service.

The old mission house was becoming increasingly
decrepit. Not only was the roof unsound, but our dwell-
ing-room required new flooring, if in the approaching
rainy season we were to have one dry place for our little
Rose. With Kwaku*s help we took these matters in
hand as far as our scanty means permitted, but the king
was building 'two new villages by our old Ebenezer, so
that wages were especially high just then.

Prince Ansa, who had commenced a plantation about a
mile out of Coomassie, had obtained the royal consent to
leave it in our charge, and M. Bonnat set to work diligently
to uproot the bush and plant the ground. We also culti-
vated a small piece of land which had been given me by
a chief in return for a little present. The twenty
minutes* walk to this garden would have been a pleasant
one, but for the fact that our way lay through a morass
caused by the overflow of the river Suben. Whether
we should ever reap the fruit of our labours was proble-
matical, but M. Bonnat built himself a hut where he and
Palm might sleep during the summer months in order to
guard the ripening harvest. The plan promised a two-
fold advantage, it would show the king we were not the
grand people he supposed, and also that we were perhaps
making arrangements for remaining.

An incident of this period excited afresh our deepest
sympathy. Vultures being regarded as sacred birds
belonging to the royal family, fly over Coomassie by
hundreds, all untouched. They pounce upon meat or
fish carried in the hand, and still more on that conveyed
in larger quantities. A poor woman on her way to
market with a basket of provisions on her head, was

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PROLONGED WAITING. 165

visiiyed by one of these voracious birds, which fastening
its claws tightly in the straw work, could not extricate
itself This was a strong temptation to the people around
to possess themselves of its feathers, valuable for many
purposes, and several ran forward, seized the larger ones,
and disappeared in a moment with their prize. When
the bird had freed itself, it was unable to fly, and a
general lamentation ensued. The poor woman was carried
off and put in irons> and would we knew be sacrificed.

On Easter Sunday (March 31st), we were much in spirit
with our dear ones at home. These seasons cause us to
realize how entirely we are sundered from every chris-
tian association, so that I set out with a heavy heart to
my usual service in the streets. Yet, as often before on
similar occasions, I returned strengthened and encouraged,
and could rejoice in Him who is " the Resurrection and
the Life."

The king had left the previous week, overladen with
presents, to spend his yearly vacation at Amanghyia.
He dealt out his gifts lavishly on all sides, but forgot us,
to whom a piece of fresh meat would have been so
welcome. He however surprised the capital by a sudden
resolution to hold the Bantama feast on the 1st April
(Easter Monday). A painful contrast to the glorious
christian festival we had quietly celebrated !

Numbers of poor victims were now slain in our immediate
vicinity, and we were helpless ! How the whole land
groaned under its oppressors ! Almost every Ashantee
felt how little such sacrifices were pleasing to God, yet
not one dared to express his conviction, though had the
king announced that very day that none but murderers
should become victims, a universal cry of joy would have
burst forth from multitudes of voices. But Kari-Kari was
persuaded that his whole strength lay in his power to
take life at any moment. One of his highest chiefs was

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166 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

said to have lost his head for daiiDg to suggest that he
spent too much money on his wives. It was quite evident
that unless compelled, he would never alter so convenient
and time-honoured a custom.

A joyful message firom prince Ansa, who was still in
Fomana, gave us an opportunity of seeing the magni-
ficent Amanghyia. He advised us of the dispatch of
eleven boxes, which obliged us to apply to Bosommuru
to have them at once conveyed to us. We did not see
the king, who was sleeping, but admired the tasteful and
durable building he had erected, in lieu of the poor
temporary huts which had served his followers in former
years. The whole was in keeping with his own beauti-
fully situated villa.

In advance of the expected boxes came Rob^ Kwansa,
with not only letters from home, but what we then needed
almost more, twenty ounces of gold dust. How thankful
we were to the kind brethren for thus hastening to supply
our wants, before Elmina was ceded to England, and a rup-
ture occurred with Ashantee. The prince, as we have said,
was detained on the road, and not until the completion of
the celebrations, when the king returned with his court,
and we had to be present at the reception, was the royal
messenger despatched to accompany him to the coast.

Our boxes were similarly treated, promises were made
and broken, though finally one after another was sent,
the last not reaching us until the 3rd of May. Then after
all the presents we gave to the king and his chamberlain,
they were dissatisfied. The king said he must " buy"
from us farther. We declined, for we were really in need
of the materials for our own clothes, but he so persisted
that at last we gave him another piece, thus realizing how
entirely we were prisoners.

On April the 15th, we were awoke by the rocking of our
beds, from a sharp shock of earthquake. Some years

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PROLONGED WAITING. 167

before, on a like occurrence, human sacrifices had been
immediately offered to appease the spirits, but priince
Ansa had explained to the king the causes of such events,
so that this was happily discontinued, but field work
was forbidden on a Thursday, because of an earthquake
which had once happened on that day.

Our darling child was growing strong and healthy, and
though only seven months old could stand by a chair, and
we needed a girl to take care of her, the nurse being
occupied with her own child. When seated before her
toys, and the little thing began to prattle, we felt what a
treasure we had to cheer us in our continued solitude.
We requested Bosommuru to supply us with a servant ;
he hesitated, perhaps he felt it was the king s duty to do
this unsolicited, but finally a girl of thirteen, for whom we
had to pay twenty-four dollars, was given us, and proved
a great help.

Letters from Administrator Ussher and from Mr. Forson,
which were brought to us to translate, gave us some in-
sight into the state of affairs. Mr. Ussher expected that
prince Ansa's mission would restore peace, and that since
Adu Bofo had returned, we should be set free. After
taking possession of Elmina, the English Government
would take care that the king should still receive the
yearly sum which had been paid by Holland, not as tri-
bute, but as a friendly offering.

In reference to the slaves who had fled from Ashantee to
Cape Coast, the British authorities could not according to
their laws send them back, but the king was advised to
place a guard at the Prah to prevent his subjects leaving
Ashantee. Nothing was said about Akjampong, but the
authorities seemed willing to send him back from Cape
Coast (whither he had been transported), though we should
find it more desirable for him to be kept at the Coast till
we were set free. Mr. Forson begged the king to let his

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168 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

people (sent eight months before with presents to his
DiMijesty), leave Coomassie and return to him. The sur-
renderingofElmina occasioned much vexation in the palace,
nor was this the only one. Ashantee had quarrelled with
Asen about some debt, and the latter had struck a kra
(" king's soul "), which was considered a deadly insult.

We too were not without our grievances. I had
worked very hard at our plantation, and more than eighty
yam roots had been put in the ground, when one morning
I discovered that thirty-five had been dug out again. *We
were prepared for robberies at harvest time, and had
arranged to sleep out of doors, but we had not dreamt of
such insolence as this. And how to guard against it we
did not know. It would have been easy to get the
king to announce with the gong that no one was to
approach our plantation, but what if it occurred after all?
The king regarded the mangoes growing in the court of
the mission-house as his property, and desired that they
should be better watched ; but we could not even protect
them from night robberies, and if a thief chose to run the
risk, how could we give him up to be beheaded ?

We had bought a steady man (Kwaku), belonging to a
village near Ahudome, for twenty-two dollars : he could
not speak Ashantee, and was beside himself with joy on en-
tering our service. Poor fellow, how I longed to be able to
take him back to his own country, though he was very
useful to us. The other Kwaku was by the king's order
compelled to leave us to his own and our sorrow, and
though we had put ourselves to all sorts of inconvenience
out of pure regard for him, hoping to be able to give his
master what he considered his value. How could thiev-
ing and lying decrease in a country where human goods
were so revoltingly disposed of.

The chief of Wusutra was ordered to have all his
yoimg men ready to fetch something for the king, and

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PROLONGED WAITING. 169

four hundred were sent northward, under an Ashantee
colonel, whither and for what purpose no one knew. A
few days later, the single women* of the same village were
summoned, the king promising to give them work, but as
we believed to be sold, though they had given themselves
up voluntarily, and had been assured they should be sent
back to their own land. Truly it was difficult to enter-
tain a warm affection for such a nation, and yet I pain-
fully felt that my poor words would be powerless unless
they proceeded from a loving heart.

When the Adae fell on a Sunday, we could scarcely
attempt street preaching, on account of the drinking and
general excitement. At other times we were greatly en-
couraged, as on one occasion, where two of the king's sons
were among the audience, on another when we had more
than four hundred attentive listeners, and yet again, when
a chief visited me with his two sons who had expressed
a desire to know me ; still our hope of making any lasting
impression was continually checked.

On May 30th, the wife of one of the king s brothers
died, and he to express his sympathy, sent more than a
dozen victims for sacrifice, accompanied by the wild music
of the horns. At such times the question would arise,
what were we that we should attempt to do battle against
this mighty bulwark of Satan ? It almost seemed as if
we heard his scornful laugh ! but we sowed on in faith
and hope, looking to God to preserve and fructify the seed.

A letter from the prince on June 4th occasioned us
much concern. It accompanied a box with a variety of
things we had ordered, and told us of the arrival of the
govemor-in-chief at Elmina, the taking of which place
caused all other affairs to be put on one side, so that the
king's letter remained unanswered. The prince deplored
that new comers unacquainted with the country declined
to take advice from experienced natives.

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170 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

His excellency, Mr Hennesy, had already proclaimed that
the way to the Coast was open to every Ashantee, without
reference to the prince. Akjampong, who was sent by the
Dutch to Kwantiabo, was said to be no longer in custody,
and might be expected in Coomassie in a month. This we
had long dreaded, knowing well how this proud, cruel
man would let loose the bridal of his hatred against
all Europeans, and turn the heads of the people. The
double-tongued Afirifa, too, was expected with his friends
from the Prah, the man who above all others urged the
king to insist on a ransom. Mr. Plange was likewise on
the road with presents from both the Colonial Govern-
ments, among which was a gigantic mirror, so difficult to
transport that the king was requested to light the path
through the forest, that it might not be damaged. We
did not anticipate that Mr. Plange would intercede for
our release, and could only trust in the Lord for help in
His own good time.

It was now exactly three years on June 12th since we
had been taken prisoners. How little we should have
believed it, had we then been told that we could have
sustained a three years' captivity. But the darker the
prospect the more earnestly did we desire to do something
for the Ashantees, and I arranged a room in the adjoin-
ing building for reading and praying, hoping that it
would also serve for a school-room.

I had for some time been trying to collect a few poor
children on Sundays, showing them pictures, singing to
them and telling them of the Saviour's love, and more came
than I had ventured to expect — ^why therefore might I not
try to teach them daily ? I spoke to them of my wish, and
they not only expressed anxiety to learn, but offered to help
in the repairs. We opened an entrance from the street
that they might come straight into the school-room, and
as they entered the scene moved me beyond expression.

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PROLONGED WAITING. 171

It was about this time that the queen mother made
over the treasures of the former king to her son. Accord-
ing to Ashantee custom the mother of the heir keeps pos-
session of the treasures on the death of the sovereign,
until her son has acquired experience. Kwakoo Dooah
had now been dead five years, after a reign of thirty-three
without going to war, with the exception of a single
campaign on the Prah, which was without conflict. He
had therefore collected more money than any of his prede-
cessors. It was weighed in a large scale held by four
strong slaves, but it was not till three months later that
the elders allowed KAri-Kari to take possession.

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172 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTHE.

CHAPTER XXII.

MR. flange's second EMBASSY.

The heavy rains of July were almost too much for the
old mission-house, with its soaked walls arid leaking roof,
yet so many new TDampans were being built, that canes
needed for repairs were not procurable, and we petitioned
the king to allow us to use grass instead. Forty years
before this same request had been denied the Wesley an
missionaries, a grass roof being prohibited in Coomassie,
but our petition was successful, and the king said,
" Begin as soon as you please."

Under an inundation of tropical rain, Mr. Plange and
his wife were ceremoniously welcomed on the mpramaso
place, after a terrible jomney of ten weeks, during which
his money was exhausted, and he and his people nearly
starved. He brought a number of boxes with him which
aroused the cupidity of Opoku, who zealously offered to
receive him. Indeed the king had to interfere before the
old man yielded the point, and we were allowed to wel-
come him into the mission-house, and to receive the
letters and presents he had brought us from unknown
friends in Berne.

Mr. Plange had been sent by both the English and
Dutch governments, and gave the king official information
of the ceding of Elmina to the British. He was com-
missioned by the administrator, Mr. Pope Hennesy, to
offer not only the usual yearly present, but to double it,
that peace might be secured, and he expressed the hope

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MR. FLANGE'S SECOND EMBASSY. 173

which had been so often expressed before that his majesty
would set his innocent white prisoners free. The Dutch
governor Ferguson also sent, with the news of the
termination of the confederacy, presents to the king, con-
sisting of the costly mirror before alluded to, and a
general's helmet and sword.

He described Akjampong as having behaved in so
violent a manner that had an Ashantee king been thus
treated by a guest, he would certainly have had him be-
headed, but out of regard to the old friendship of the two
governments he had only had him conveyed to Asim, from
whence he would find his own way back to Coomassie^
and he begged the king to forgive him as the governor
had done.

The sympathy of de Haes, the Dutch commander of
the frigate Wassenar lying before Elmina, touched us
deeply; he interceded for us in a special letter, sent
presents to the king, and begged in his own name for our
release. The ofticial answer to the king's letter was en-
trusted by Mr. Hennesy to the Ashantee messengers,
Kotiko and Afirifa. He agreed to a ransom of £1000, but
not a farthing more, and if the king permitted us to leave,
the money was to be paid at the Prah. Mr. Plange
hoped the king would be so satisfied with his yearly
present being doubled, that he would not desire any
additional ransom. But our hope was not bright; we had
ceased to look for anything from men. Our trust was in
the Lord, in the crisis which we felt was now at hand.
(See Appendix V.)

Qne day we were suddenly summoned to the palace
with Mrs. Plange, that the king might show us his wives,
and little Rosie was especially invited. After long
waiting we were led into the inner court, where sat the
monarch surrounded by little boys ; opposite to him, and
the central figure in a group of thirty others, was the first

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174 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

wife, weighed down with golden ornaments. The entire
party seemed much pleased to have so good an oppor-'
tnnity of inspecting us, but the little one was the chief
attraction. " Could she run," asked the king. Kokoo
put her down, just holding her under the arms, when
she ran straight up to him, to his and every one's great
delight. He held out his hands, drew her between his
knees and played with her. Rosie, all unconscious that
she was a prisoner, could not take her eyes oflFhis sandals.
What pleased me least was that the king insisted on
being saluted by each of the women, and made my wife
take her hat off to look at both sides of her hair, com-
paring her with a white albino. But we were prisoners,
and we had to submit.

We were also obliged to show ourselves at the recep-
tion of Kotiko and Afirifa. Opoku, that nephew of Adu
Bofo, who had been sent by him in July, 1869, to the
Kroboes as a guarantee of our speedy release, was also
present, together with forty soldiers, part of the troop
which had accompanied Akjampong to Elmina. From
the opposite side there approached a procession bearing
presents of rum, sheep, and oxen from Yoew Boakje, a son
of the late king, who wished to express his thanks to the
reigning sovereign for having offered numerous sacrifices
to celebrate the death of his mother and brother, which
had taken place some years before !

But this was not all we were compelled to witness.
Boakje followed the present with a party of warriors
painted red, who stood firing before the king for a full
quarter of an hour, then came their wives, who also
returned thanks, after which the king gave his presents,
consisting of gold, various ornaments, clothing, &c.,
carried in three divisions. At the head of each marched
a royal messenger, loudly proclaiming to all the chiefs
what the king gave for the funeral celebration, in money,

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MR. FLANGE'S SECOND EMBASSY. 175

jewels, dresses, sheep, and finally in human sacrifices, and
hardly had the presents been produced when a number of
odumfo (executioners) appeared, followed by a blood-
thirsty multitude, who rushed into the next street. Three
chosen victims were led forth, who had been already lying
between life and death for some weeks, with their feet
and hands in irons, understanding too well the cause of
the firing.

Presently, one of the party who had gone off^ returned
in a state of high excitement, displaying a knife. One of
the intended victims had somehow procured this weapon,
and with it had wounded the odumfo, who sprang upon
him. Another of these wretches speedily ran him through
the cheek, and he was brought here bound.

The multitude hearing the death drum hurried in the
direction whence the sound proceeded, the fatal signal was
soon heard, and a [muffled sound announced that the exe-
cution was over, the band returned playing and uttering
cries of joy, and sat down by his majesty. We after-
wards came accidentally upon the blood-stained ground,
where lay the headless trunks, their hands bound on their
backs, and a warrior standing by, deliberately smearing
his fetish with the blood of the last victim.

We had already seen a great deal of Coomassie, and
our eyes and hearts were in some degree accustomed to its
horrors, but this was overwhelming. The Ashantees
stood around laughing and joking, whilst I attempted to
hurry home to sigh and cry for this poor nation. But
no ! we were forced to stay to see the king pass. He
came, surrounded by torches, in his sedan chair, which is
bordered by a dozen swords covered with gold. He saw
and saluted us with a smile, but looked confused as if he
were struggling with serious thoughta Oh, when will
Christianity help these poor deluded people ?

Weeks passed by, and Mr. Plange was not invited to

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176 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANEE.

appear, or remembered with any presents. It was said
that Kotiko the privy counsellor had reproached the
king with spending too much money on strangers ; people
here however seem fond of surprises, for on July 29th he
was suddenly summoned to the palace, and we were to go
with him. In the outer yard we met Afirifa and Kotiko
with others, which led us to suppose that they wished to
acquit themselves of their embassy. When therefore Mr.
Plange was ordered to read his letters, he stated that he
had arrived at the capital before Afirifa, and could not
allow his affitirs to be mixed up with his (Afirifa s), where-
upon the latter was sent into the outer court. Mr. Plange
commenced reading, but the remarks of the Dutch gover-
nor upon Akjampong*s unjustifiable conduct were so
severe that we were sent to the other side of the court.
' When the words were read, " King William III. trans-
fers Elmina with all rights and possessions on the Gold
Coast to her majesty the queen of Great Britain, etc," the
interpreter Nantschi explained, " The king of Holland is
queen Victoria's husband ; how is it that he sells his pos-
sessions to his wife ? " Mr. Plange did not attend to this
interpretation, but went on reading and explaming in the
Fantee dialect.

The king enquired if the chiefe of the various races
in and around Elmina had given their consent to this
transfer. He was told that the king of Elmina had
mounted the British flag and fired seven times to ex-
press his joy at the English present of rum, etc.
The announcement of a yearly present of forty-eight oz.
of gold instead of the usual twenty-four, was received
with universal approbation, but the king broke up the
interview with the unmeaning phrase, that he " wished
to live in peace with the white people, and hoped to dis-
miss their messengers with good reports of him."

In the meantime he seemed to wish to raise his own

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MR. FLANGE'S SECOND EMBASSY. 177

position by elevating that of his friends. Men who tiQ
now had only been his chamberlains, and whose office it
was to carry his sedan chair and large umbrella, were
made chiefa

On August 5th, these men dressed in a style denoting
the highest rank, thanked the king publicly in a large
assembly in the Elmina street. Each of them aimed at
showing himself oflF to the best advantage by boasting of
his greatness and power, and displaying his jewellery and
riches, whilst his followers danced furiously, and endea-
voured to outdo each other in screaming and firing off guns.

These proceedings struck us as of a very warlike
nature, and there were other movements amongst the im-
portant persons present which were somewhat inexpli-
cable. For instance the prince of Kokofu was honoured
by a reception in the evening, on which occasion the king
presented him with seventy-six powder boxes. The
prince of Bekwse also arrived, and these gentlemen will
not be allowed to leave the town until after the feast of
yams has been celebrated, which is to be unusually early
this year.

On August 5th, Mr. Flange's present arrived. It was
poor in the extreme, consisting of two lean sheep, fifteen
small bananas, and thirty-six dollars, with nine more for
his wife. This parsimony might result from a wise pre-
caution on the part of the monarch, who knew he must
make a much greater effort when he dismisses the ambas-
sador, especially if he send us with him. He had privately
informed prince Ansa that this time he would really let
us go, but we did not rely on his word.

Mr. Flange tried in a later assembly, which was attended
by the whole council, to show the king things in their
true light, plainly telling him that if we were not released,
the barricading would certainly be enforced, and repeating
that £1000 would be the very highest sum which would

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178 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

be paid for our ransom. The conversation at length took
a confidential tone, when the king remarked that he
would beg the governor to send more missionaries, " who
would pray to God, and repair the mission-house." He
might have thought that besides the ornament to tiie town
of a stately building, a certain blessing would be connected
with it, proceeding from the Christian's God. His super-
stitious mind probably fancied some earthly good would
come to him in a mysterious way, if he so far protected
anfd assisted missionaries.

Amidst so much that was painful, we had great
satisfaction and comfort in our little school — from
ten to thirteen boys came regularly one hour a day, and
though they had difficulty in learning the letters, they
enjoyed singing, and were able to manage the two songs
we taught them, " Great Emmanuel," and " Oh how joy-
ful," pretty well. They were wild little fellows, and ac-
customed to idle about in the market-place, and often
quarrelled, when one or another T^ould stay away ; their
singing too was in the onset dreadful howling — calling for
much forbearance and patience, but we felt it such a
mercy to be able to set to work even in this simple way,
that we were not easily discouraged. When Joseph, on
his return from the Coast, brought amongst other things
some slates and pencils, our scholars were very much
delighted. ♦

*In a letter of the same date Mr. K. wrote, **1 must add some
words to brother R.'s note, for he speaks too humMy of our work in
Coomassie. We have an irregular congregation, which has seldom num-
bered less than three hundred iDdividuals, mostly men and youths.
Our school contains from fourteen to fifteen boys, sons of respectable
Ashantees, who, although they must often be summoned when they idle
about the streets, yet always come. I can hear them from my room
just now, singing really well to the tune of *God save the Queen.'
We have also contrived a little chapel from the ruins of a house, where
we hold our school and services ; and better than aU. the Ashantees
know us aud b^;in to trust us, so that we have already a footing here."

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MR. FLANGE'S SECOND EMBASSY. 179

We were so far encouraged as seriously to contemplate
establishing a permanent mission in Coomassie, and I
looked forward in the event of our gaining our liberty, to
joining David Asanti in this work. I soon found an
opportunity of stating my wishes to the king. He had
seemed so well disposed towards us in all his dealings
with Afirifa, that I placed before him the question of our
committee on the subject.

He replied, "That is just what I want, missionaries
ought to be here, and I will send my own sons to the
school." On my continuing — that I had now lived among
them for three years, loved them, hated no one, and was
prepared to return if my elders would send me, — " Yes,"
he replied, " now you speak sweet words, but when you
are once at the Coast you will forget everything."

I immediately approached nearer and answered, " I am
a missionary and do not tell lies. To return is my firm
determination. If my elders will not send me, I must
refrain. If they send me I will come with joy." To which
he again replied, "Very good, if you come or your brother,
I wUl confide to you my son to train, and will visit your
mission-house irom time to time." Several of the chiefs
joined in at this, sajdng, " We too will send our sons to
schooL" Still the day of our release remained undecided.

The Yam festival that year was less numerously
attended than usual, but the Sunday was spoiled, and we
were obliged to omit street preaching. The human
sacrifice on this occasion was a Fetish priest, whose
severed head the wretched old Odumfo exhibited before
us. The king danced with a small silk handkerchief in
his hand instead of his sword and gun, a change which
we understood to signify his peaceful intentions. Much
drinking followed, but he was not intoxicated as usual,
and parted from us with a warm pressure of the hand.

The first day of sprinkling and purification fell on

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180 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

Friday, August SOih, and I was again forced to witness
headless bodies dragged by a rope to the horrible recep-
tacle which already contained thousands. On the second
day of purification, September 17th, we withdrew from the
ceremony held in honour of the protecting Fetish Bosom-
muru, and went to our plantation, for in the meantime
our horizon had again darkened ; indeed, the storm was
abeady begun.

On September 2nd, the high council met, at which were
the Princes Dwaben, Mampong, and Bekwae, while Adu
Bofo, who was seriously ill, was represented by his son,
and a subordinate officer, Nantschi. The subject of the
ransom being first discussed, Nantschi expressed his
astonishment at the governor naming £1000 as the highest
sum, when their demand had been £4860 at the very
lowest To this the king replied, " Siisse will come again
and found a school, but with such demands we should
make this return impossible," he then suggested the sum
should be lowered to £2000, to which, after a long
palaver, they all agreed.

Mr. Plange was then called upon to give his opinion.
Utterly unable to conceal his annoyance, he said abruptly
that the governor would not pay a farthing more than
£1000, and if he returned to the Coast without us, the
way would be blocked immediately.

Fatal words ! The chiefs first laughed, then a general
tone of dissatisfaction was apparent, and the storm broke
out in curses, oaths, and threats. " A few days ago," said
the king, " I thought you were joking, if you are in earnest
you may come. We are ready ! Your governor cannot
leave his fort without an umbrella, so afraid is he
of sun and rain. Let him try to come to us. For a
long time the Ashantees have been going up to Fantee,
and then the white men hid themselves in their
forts, it would be something new if the Fantees were to

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MR, PLAFGFS SECOND EMBASSY. 181

come here !" This was spoken amid thundering applause.
The Bantama prince then shook his fist in Flange's face,
and in the most offensive and insulting language,
threatened war. The queen mother said, " I am only a
woman, but would fight the governor with my left hand."
" I am but a small chief, said another, yet shall the
governor pale before me;" while many voices cried, " who-
ever sells fixes the price. We had trouble enough to get
these goods here ; if the governor will not buy them, he
may leave them." At last there was a frantic and united
cry of " We will not give them up. Let him fetch them
with fire and sword, we will kill them ;" while the king
turned angrily to Flange, adding, " if you wish, I can show
you my supply of powder."

One man alone remained quiet in the uproar — the
gigantic prince of Mampong, who had before voted for
our fireedom without a ransom. To him Flange turned
with the request that he would try to soften down the
high council, while the king exclaimed, " that is a good
word, we will now break up." It was evident all wished
that things should take a milder turn, as the interpreters
remarked that Mr Flange need not repeat to the governor
what he had just heard.

That after their recent heavy losses of money, men and
first-rate leaders, the chiefs should again wish for war, we
could scarcely believe, though if it were declared, they
would doubtless march into the field with spirit. But far
worse to me was the thought that in that case the idea of
a mission in Ashantee must be given up, and I greatly
doubted whether the king would set us free, even if
£2000 were offered for our ransom, though at the same
time I did not believe there would be war on our account,
neither did the committee expect it.

For some weeks Kiihne had been suffering from his old
complaint, cough and hemorrhage ; the continued disap-

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182 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

pointment told upon him and depressed his spirits^ so
that I much desired speedy freedom for him, whilst we,
having better health, might remain yet. Our Rosie was
a year old and strong for her age ; our delight in her
greatly softened our affliction, especially when she took
her fin)t step alone.

Ml*. Plange remained with us, while a royal messenger
was despatched to the Coast with a determined answer
to his demands, which had been ftdly discussed in council
Kiihne too wrote to the governor, telling him that the
chiefs here had the upper hand, and would gladly draw
the king into another war ; M. Bonnat and I added a few
lines begging that if possible K.'s liberty might be
brought about.

The king privately represented to Plange how unwisely
he had behaved. He professed himself in favour of
peace, but said the overbearing chiefs insisted on a ransom
in gold. He also dared to boast how well he provided for
us (nine dollars for five persons for three weeks!) without
our working for it. He had of course observed K.'s deli-
cate health, and would have given him a wife if he had
only asked him, to which the ambassador replied that
missionaries were not so easily satisfied in the choice of a
wife, and the best thing was to send the sick man to the
Cioast at once.

The king was however not to be persuaded, though he
hinted that he might eventually take £1500, and finished
by making a request that the governor should send him
five casks of chalk, and all sorts of oil colours to restore
his stone house ; also clocks, bells, waterproof boots, &c.
Ansa's nephew, Owusu Kokoo, a man whom we could
trust, whom the king regarded as his grandson, and
made the only channel for confidential communication
with the Coast, was despatched with these requests. How
childish would this behaviour appear to the governor.

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A CRITICAL TIME. 183

CHAPTER XXIII.

A CBinCAL TIME.

The long threatened crisis now seemed imminent.^
People from Aguogo (belonging to Ashantee Akem) had
sent word to their relatives in Akem to be on their guard,
as the king thought of making war with them, and when
this came to his ears, it was immediately brought before
the high council. The chiefs of Ashantee Akem pleaded
not guilty, and had to drink the odum water, after which
six of them were condemned to death. Our acquaintance,
the chief Asamoa, escaped, and was afterwards pardoned
on paying a heavy fine, but the Mendly Mampong was
kept in irons. When this became known, many of the
inhabitants of Aguogo and Sokore hastily concealed them-
selves.

A chief in the vassal state of Serem had been amusing
himself with making an image of gold to display his
riches. The king sent messengers to demand this image,
whom the chief dismissed, saying, if the king wished
for an image, he could ipake one for himself, upon which
other messengers were despatched, and the way was
ordered to be barricaded until their return.

To the north of Asini, and west of Fantee, a day's
march further into the interior, was the commercial town
of Kinshabo, numbering about four thousand inhabitants.
Its Prince Amatifu, an ally of Ashantee, had delivered a
large number of powder-boxes on credit to the king, for
which he o£fered in payment the hundreds of Wusutra

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184 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

youths who had been sent away from their homes (jsee
page 169). The chief refused to take them, and sent word
that if the king did not pay in gold, he would wait no
longer. From this, and from the fact that, on account of
the expense he declined to visit the abode of his Fetish
during the yam festival, it appeared that Kari-Kari was
really suffering from want of money. Kwakoo Dooah's
treasure {see page 171) was regarded as crown property,
that might be used for national but not for personal
expenses.

An Ashantee one day tauntingly exclaimed to a Fantee,
" Only wait a while, and the king will march against you
and drag you all here." In a private interview with Mr.
Plange, the king declared in angry tones his love of peace,
and commissioned the ambassador to write to the gover-
nor that very night, stating that if it was a case of
necessity, £1000 would be suflScient as ransom, but it
must be paid immediately. The letter was to be dated
October 1st, but the messenger, Owusu Kokoo, was not to
deliver it until the governor had really refused the
demanded £2000. Mr. Plange conceded so far as to draw
up the letter, but privately communicated its contents to
the governor, through a bearer. To us it seemed as if the
Ashantees would be satisfied with any sum that might
enable them at once to declare war. *

* This letter may serve as characteristic of the style of the Ashantee
courts: —

** It is the pressing wish of my great chiefs that I should communi-
cate to your exceUency, that wil^ regard to the ransom for the white
men who are here, which has been valued in my letter sent by my chief
Owusu Kokoo Kuma at £2000, my views have now undergone a change,
viz., that your excellency has now only £1000 to pay, which is promised
to me and my chiefs, .for, considering the now firmly established peace,
it seems unnecessary to me to enlighten your excellency further upon it.
I have done all that I could in this matter, also your excellency's
messenger, Mr. Plange, has exerted himself extraordinarily with my
chiefs, and I have endeavoured to foster good feeling towards your ex-

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A CRITICAL TIME. 185

The next day the man who had threatened the Fantee
was charged and found guilty. Plange begged for the poor
fellow's life, but the king would not listen. " You shall
see how I chastise such deceivers," was his angry reply.
A further petition to the queen mother was successful
so far, that the cruel monarch consented to sleep over
it. Meanwhile the oflTender was placed in the block
and unmercifully thrashed, amid scornful cries of con-
tempt.

We were just then gladdened by letters from home,
brought us by two Fantees on September 30th. Friends,
relations, and fellow-workers, overwhelmed us with love
and tender sympathy. They also unconsciously aided me
in a profitable transaction.

For a long time the mohammedans had been trying to
persuade me to part with my clock for a slave, but I
did not like to give it up, and promised to send for
another. A beautiful watch sent from Mr. Michaud in
Neuchatel gave me the opportimity of gratifying them.
I hesitated to accept the thirty dollars they offered, as
it was only worth about three, but willingly took a
little girl of eight years old, who had been stolen from
her country and kept in slavery. The buyers had seen
a similar watch in Timbuctoo, and were especially-
astonished at its striking the hours, and went off quite
proud of their treasure.

Other things had been sent, but the king's prohibition

cellency. Therefore I beg your excellency, in order tliat this affair may
be quickly concluded, to pay me the sum, partly in goods, partly in gold
dust or coin, through my messenger ; so that I may be enabled to send
the white men to the coast, and to announce peace to all my land. I
hope your excellency will send back the messenger twenty days after
sight, and expect that your excellency wiU allow no delay to take place
in the matter, but complete it according to our mutual wishes.'^

Kofi Kaai-Eaiu.
(GorncE Galgalli.)

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186 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

made it difficult for us to get them. For upwards of two
months five boxes had been lying in Akrofrum, only three
days journey fix>m the capital, but our repeated entreaties
to be allowed to have them were answered with promises
only, and when I sent messengers they were turned back,
until at length after continued applications, Bosommuru
sent a sword-bearer to accompany my people, and they
finally brought them on October 19th.

My school was causing me some anxiety. We gave a
fortnight's holiday to allow the boys to attend the yam
festival, and when I heard (Oct. 3rd) that some had
returned, I called them, and begged them to come again
to school They seemed frightened, for a boy who had
only once attended had been complained of to the king
and well thrashed. When I doubted the truth of the
story, and spoke of mentioning it, they begged me with
tears not to do so ; it would cost them, as tale bearers
and betrayers, their heads. I quieted them with the
promise not to tell anything of what I had heard, but
took the matter, which seriously troubled me, to God in
prayer.

While I was thus free from my daily engagements I
went with my wife, who needed a change, to M. Bon-
nat's cottage in the plantation, where we remained some
weeks.

I asked Bosommuru why the children did not appear,
and if the king had forbidden it. He professed to know
nothing, but would enquire, and a week later gave me the
king's permission to gather them together again. Still
I felt under restraint. On my way home however, I
beckoned one of them who was standing in the market
place, but he ran away as if he had seen a ghost. Prince
Ansa's relation too, Kwabena, bad been taken away from
w& by his friends, though he had been with us for some
time. They said he should come back in five days, but

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A CRITICAL TIME. . 187

lie did not return, and when I saw him he told me that
his people did not like him to be with us.

AJnid these many discouragements, the welfare of these
poor people pressed heavily on my heart. One day,
meeting several of my former scholars in the market
place, I again invited them, and promised to give them
oranges. They came for this, but persisted in saying they
were afraid to come to school, although I told them they
had the king's permission. Later in the day others
arrived, attracted no doubt by the oranges, promising
they would come back the following Monday. And they
really did so (October 23rd), that is three of them, whom
we begged to bring others.

We had soon eight Ashantees, who came with our own
boys and sat down again to leam, rejoicing greatly at the
Christmas gifts we were preparing. But alas ! first one
and then another was called away to follow his Adamfo
(friend). Most of the free youths being destined to be
followers of this or that chief, to make a parade before
him at the ceremonies, and when grown up to follow him
with a gun.

On (October 22nd), we heard that a high council had
been held in Bantama, when the chiefs had sworn they
would march against the Coast, to which the king re-
plied, "If you go, I shall go with you." A few days
later we were told that Ashantee had promised assistance
to the prince of Kwantiabo, who had long sought its help
against a neighbouring state.

That something was going on, Mr. Flange had to leam
to his bitter cost, the king declaring in an assembly of
the council that he " interfered in the politics of the king-
dom, and acted as if no one could read." It was evi-
dently known that the ambassador had secretly written
to the governor, and unscrupulously compromised the
Ving by communicating the proceedings of the council —

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188 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASUANTEE.

(see page 184). He was somewhat disconcerted, although
he was not altogether without means of defence, as he
had been censured by the governor for not having ac-
quainted him with the storm of indignation which had
burst forth as detailed at pages 180-81. After a painful
explanation the ambassador was made to write to the
governor in the king's name to ask him to send the rest
of the Ashantees to ApoUonia.

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SEEMING LIBERTY. 189

CHAPTER XXIV.

SEEMING LIBERTY.

"When the Lord turned again the captivity of His
people, we were like unto them that dream/* so sang the
captive Israelites in Babylon, and so were we now inclined
to sing in Coomassie. Yet our hopes on former occasions
had been so often dashed that they were even now
mingled with many misgivings, which subsequent events,
alas ! justified.

On the 8th, the king, with his assembled chiefs, gave
audience to Mr. Flange and ourselves, under one of the
spacious galleries, when it was stated by Osee, the
attendant, that £1000 was the ultimatum of the sum
offered by the governor for our release. Some of the
chiefs rose on hearing this, and rudely demanded £2000,
declaring that Adu Bofo had expended thus much, where-
upon the king affirmed that the outlay had been his, and
he would accept the £1000 ; then addressing himself to
us, he added, " you will leave to-morrow for Fomana, I
will prepare everything to-day ; from there," said he to
Flange, "you will write to Ansa, and when the money
reaches the Frah, you can cross."

The thankful joy with which we heard these words,
and the throbbing of our hearts as we thought of reunion
with our loved ones, cannot be described. We at once
approached, took the jewelled hand of the monarch in
ours, and expressed our gratitude, while Flange thanked
him on his knees. Our words would have been warmer
but for sad remembrances too vivibly impressed on our

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190 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

minds — ^unjustiy captured! sold for £1000! Still we
tried to feel hopeful and happy. The general's represen-
tative was not satisfied, but the interpreters stood and
cried, " as the king has decided, so let it be."

The uproar that followed was awful, and we soon per-
ceived that " to-morrow " was an indefinite future. A
severe trial was already in store, for the very next day
our treasured little Rose was seized with fever and con-
vulsions, and for many hours struggled for life, so that we
ahnost anticipated the dreadful alternative of having to
leave her behind should we ever get firee ourselves. The
king however seemed to wish to hast^i our journey, and
to be rid of us and all our belongings, and we expected
Sunday the 10th to be our last in Coomassie.

We had before planned a kind of Christmas entertain-
ment for our school boys, but in our excitement and our
anxiety for Rosie, we could only arrange a few presents
on two small tables covered with a white doth, and when
ready we rang a bell to call our guests. These poor little
untamed and noisy fellows came in quite subdued, and
listened attentively while I addressed them. They joined
us in singing, after which I prayed, and they again sang the
pieces they knew.

I then told them of Jesus, the children's friend,
who loved them and their country, and would make
them holy if they would come to ffim and ask Him. I
explained that as we might not perhaps remain among them
till Christmas, we were fulfiUng our promise beforehand,
and giving them our Christmas gifts now — to each, material
for a dress, a handkerchief from Berne, and some biscuits
and oranges. The joy was great ; they received these unac-
customed riches with beaming eyes, sang again and left us.

This was the happiest day I had spent in Coomas-
sie, for truly God had permitted me to see great things
firom a very insignificant beginning. We had been sowing

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SEEMING LIBERTY. 191

for eternity, and I prayed, "Oh! may this seed take root
in the hearts of the little ones." The hymns they have
learnt they will often sing, such as, "Where may the soul
find her home and her rest," the result I committed in
faith to the Lord. Fever prevented me from rising the
next day, but I received a visit from Bosommuru and
Sabeng, who brought us two peredwane (seventy-two
dollars) for otir journey, and nothing now remained but
to take our formal leave of the king.

I resolved on making an effort to redeem Palm and his
wife Kokoo, who otherwise must be left according to our
promise, when we had received permission to keep them
with us. I begged Bosommuru to intercede with the
king, offering a ransom. Their owner, Kwasi Domfe, de-
manded eight peredwanes, but finally, after much opposi-
tion, consented to take six — two hundred and sixteen
dollars. This we advanced from the mission funds, for
we felt it would be unkind and ungrateful to leave this
worthy couple to return into captivity, and be separated
for the remainder of their lives. To the woman we were
especially attached for her devoted care of our child.
Palm promised the repayment of the debt in one year,
for which he pledged his two houses in Akra.

Feverish and exhausted by packing, we paid our final
visit to his majesty in the evening, and found him in
good humour, counting out the money just received for
the Palms. " Now," said he, " I shall see if you will keep
your word and return ; and when you meet the governor,
tell him to send Akjampong' and his suite back to
Coomassie." He expressed a wish that one of us would
go with his messenger to the Coast, tjbat it might be
evident we were released, but we declined, saying, we
"preferred to receive our freedom together," and left.

Troubles and annoyances of every description delayed
our departure for two days, when with only half our escort

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192 MISSIONARY LIFE m ASHANTEE.

of bearers and hammocks, we turned our backs on
Coomassie, followed by a crowd of insolent and abusive
beggars, who snatched all they could jfrom us to the very
end. We saw with great pleasure that our scholars
remained true to us, for they followed us to the river,
and there took an affectionate farewejl.

The next morning we found the river in Dasu so
swollen that it was hazardous to cross the crazy bridge,
which consisted of the trunk of a tree. I was too ill to
venture that night or the next day, but on the 14th we
made the perilous attempt, and crept tremblingly over,
holding on by a long trailing plant, while a bearer carried
my wife on his shoulders, and another took Rosie.

For many days afterwards I was prostrated by fever, and
it was only by almost superhuman efforts, urged on by the
merciless royal messengers, that we on the evening of the
loth, reached Fomana. How gladly would we have
then rested, but this was not permitted. Exhausted
though we were, we had to undergo a formal reception by'
the chief, who however treated us very kindly. Our
dear child's state continued so critical that we stiU
despaired of her life, but our prayers were graciously
answered, and she was spared to us.

From Fomana the messengers were sent forward to
inform the governor at Cape Coast of our arrival thus far,
and to receive the £1000, with which we were told
they were to make purchases. We at once saw our posi-
tion, and how problematic it was that we should cross
the Prah. Afirifa arrived on the 19 th, professedly as our
escort to the Coast, there to conclude a formal treaty of
peace, Haughty as his usual bearing was, he was now
civil and even respectful towards us. Several of Mr.
Flange's people, who had remained behind to finish their
pre]J)arations, soon joined us, and brought news that in
Coomassie all were preparing for a campaign. We

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SEEMING LIBERTY. 193

observed signs of this in loadd of ammunition, rum, and
salt, continually passing through Fomana, and we felt
sure that the pride of Ashantee had reached such a height
that no lasting peace with England could be maintained.
Most truly should we have rejoiced could we at that
moment have seen the Prah behind us ! Thus we thought
while still lingering near the river in November, and
when our written narrative was resumed on December
17th, our apprehensions proved to be well founded, for
we had then been cruelly driven back again to our old
prison house.

We had evidently been sent to Fomana to induce the
governor to pay the £1000, whilst we were yet in the
power of Ashantee, and that we might be kept in ignor-
ance of the preparations for war against the Protectorate,
which had been decided on for months, but were
only now openly commencing. Until the end of Novem-
ber, we waited in suspense the return of the two messen-
gers, Osei and Owusu Adum, Jfrom the coast, wondering
much as to the means of paying for the costly war
material always in transit, being certain that no credit
would be allowed by the governor. We afterwards found
that prince Ansa, deceived by the fair promises of Owuso
Kokoo, and hoping to hasten our release, had with another
friend agreed to stand security for his nephew's (Owusu
Kokoo's) purchases.

On December 6th twelve bearers arrived from the
governor, bringing a letter from prince Ansa, telling us
he hoped to welcome us in a few days at Mr. Blankson's
country seat. He regretted Kuhne's refusal to accompany
the messenger Osei to the Coast, as his arrival there
would have given the governor confidence in the pay-
ment of the money, and he thought would have hastened
our departure. We had declined this, fearing to be
caught in a trap ; and we soon saw tJiat we were rig^t.

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194 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASEANTEE,

The two messengers arrived on the 7th : we could get no
intelligence from them, but were told by a Fantee that
Mr. Dawson, the governor's interpreter, was on his way,
and we hoped that he might be the bearer of our ransom.
He arrived the same evening, and handed us an official
letter in the presence of the chief, whom he saluted.
The £1000 had been weighed out before the Ashantee
ambassadors, and was then to be sealed and given into
the charge of Mr. F. Grant, a merchant, who would hold
it until our arrival at the Coast. We were hardly allowed
to speak to Mr. Dawson, but found that he was going on
to Coomassie, at the request of the king, and had per-
mission to remain as a hostage for us, lest the king might
doubt whether the governor had really sent the money.
Owusu Kokoo was also on his way back to Coomassie.

Sunday the 8th was a painful day to us. The two am-
bassadors paraded the village with ominous looks. Owusu
Kokoo saluted us on his arrival in his usual Mendly
manner, but made no communication. I held a service
in the street with great enjoyment, but noticed that the
Fomanians kept aloof, and after closing, a christian from
Elmina told me that he and his companions feared they
would not be allowed to return to the Coast. One of them
who had tried to start for the Coast was sent back with
an intimation that, as the priests were " making fetish "
aU along the road that Sunday, all strangers must be for-
bidden to pass. I tried to comfort him by reminding him
how Uttle we could rely on such reports ; nevertheless, I
could not divest myself of grave fears.

In the evening, whilst bathing in the river, Palm came
with the news that messengers fix>m Coomassie were
waiting for us, and that they were accompanied by
hammock-bearers. I was at once convinced we were to
be carried back, and on entering the house of the chief
Obeng, I saw these same bearers behind Afinfa and an

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SEEMING LIBERTY. 195

unknown chief. We were greeted with great gravity by
the messenger, who rose and delivered the king's saluta-
tions. "His majesty had heard that we were badly
treated in Fomana, which aroused his indignation, and
must be altered." A sheep was to be immediately caught
in the streets and given to us, another to himself, &c. A
fresh messenger would to-morrow give us leave to travel
further, and provide more bearers.

This sounded assuring, but we had learned in Ashantee to
suspect everything; and whilst at breakfast the next morn-
ing, we were summoned to the chief Obeng. Not hastening
immediately, a second and more pressing call was made.
We found the chief's court full of people, amongst them
many strange faces. M. Bonnat recognised the man who
had murdered his two assistants, which excited our ap-
prehension, especially as many were running to and fro,
and whispering together suspiciously, while we wondered
what would occur next. The Fantees were summoned
together, who were placed in the further comers of the
court to listen to merchants and bearers with the king's
message.

After long continued suspense, the messenger arose and
said, his majesty had, " out of friendship to the governor,
exerted himself to free us from Adu Bofo, and send us to
the Coast" (in negro language this message occupied much
time, and was expressed in endless words); but 'Ata*
(Plange) had played false by urging the governor to pay
the money after our arrival, and imtil then, to detain
Akjampong. Such conduct, at the very time he was
treating for peace, he could not imderstand. He was in-
dignant at the false ' Ata ; ' and as the business was done
through him, and the road was now blocked, he com-
manded him to restore his property. Before the white
people could be set at liberty the royal messengers must
return to Coomassie with Akjampong and the £1000."

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196 MISSIONARY UFE IN ASHANTEE.

Scarcely was the speech concluded when a wild rabble
rushed upon the Fantees, marshalled them in order, and
led them away. Our own servajits were torn from us,
and Mr. Flange seized by his arms and legs and dragged
away, as was Palm also. We too were ordered ofl^ but I
refused to move one step without my wife. When they
began to maltreat me, I protested against it^ and told
them I knew the king would not allow it, appealing to
Owusu Kokoo and Afirifa who stood by. They gave
orders that we were not to be touched; and as I was
resolute not to move a step till my wife was fetched,
Afirifa himself went and brought her, which was a great
relief to me in this perplexing moment.

She had gone through an hour of deep anxiety.
Alarmed by a great noise and screaming in the street, she
ran to the front of the house, where she saw Kwaku, the
lad we had ransomed, Ijring bound and bleeding on the
ground, and the girl who was given us by the king being
torn away by an Ashantee. She was then herself seized
by the arm and pulled violently. She resisted, and
begged to be allowed to take her hat and a covering for
Rosie. Unable to shake off her captor she strug^d into
the room, her child in her arms, but he continued his
attempts until the master of the house appeared and freed
her from his grasp. She was then led into a court be-
hind, where she was found by Afirifa, who brought her to
me. We were conducted to the house of a good-natured
subordinate chief) who at first seemed unwilling to receive
us, but seeing our unpleasant position, took us into the
court, and when it was too hot allowed us to remain in
an open roc^n.

We were surrounded hy some dozeli lawless guards^
who as time passed became so civil, that I ventured to
ask permission to return to our old house. That how-
ever was: not to be thought o4 for reasons not difficult to

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SEEMING LIBERTY. 197

perceive and very soon made manifest. We had received
many packages from the Coast, and they knowing this
supposed we must have hoarded up a great deal of
money, they required time therefore to make a thorough
search, but assured us all was right and safe. So here we
remained still more depressed in spirit iiian on our first
captivity, for the three years and a-half had not passed
without leaving traces behind. We had long had diffi-
culty in cherishing any love in our hearts for Ashantee,
now the measure of their blindness seemed full, and
punishment deserved.

Palm's wife being allowed her liberty on the child's
account, told us that " Pisangs " were being dried at the
fire, which her former master said were preparing for the
campaign to the Coast. The promised sheep was now
brought, -v^dth the intimation that the king did not wish
us to starve, which interpreted meant, "we want it killed
that we may have our share." I coolly told them to do
as they chose, but we required some soup, so it was soon
despatched, and as quickly divided, a leg being given to us.

When asked who could cook for us, I demanded that
our own servants should be restored, and after a great
search most of them were permitted to return. We then
tried to regain possession of some of our property. M.
Bonnat, attended by a guard, procured a few things and
a Bible, and Kokoo was permitted to fetch the beds, and
my watch.

All my attempts to induce Afirifa to let us sleep
under our own roof were unavailing, whilst we re-
ceived the painful tidings from Kokoo, that Palm and
Mr. Plange were both lying in the stocks. On the 10th,
We met Mr. and Mrs. Plange in the presence of the chief.
Their luggage had been searched, Mr. P. beaten and
nearly strangled, stripped of all his clothing and placed in
the stocks ; in which he remained until late in the even-

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198 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

ing, when the chief, " Obeng," had a few of his clothes re-
stored Mrs. P. had received no personal injury, but was
of course deeply distressed.

We were then commanded to open our boxes, "to
ascertain," so they said, "if anything was missing." I
told them I understood their manoeuvre, they only
wanted our money, and if they would treat us gently, I
would show it them to the last coin. Some seemed con-
fused, but Yaw Agjie said, " Yes, it is so, we want to see
the money." They believed me when I said it was need-
less to open the provision boxes, for they only contained
eatables, though one of these, being very heavy, was
questioned. I showed them the money in a little bottle,
and the dollars wrapped in rag. They were very much
interested ; " this must be weighed," said they, " that all
may be safely restored to you." I knew the people too
well to believe this, and I replied, "that would be quite
unnecessary, for the weight was known."

Afirifa caught sight of some candles, and attempted to
take them, which we resisted stoutly, threatening to com-
plain of him to the king, when he desisted ; but to pacify
the covetous creature I gave him six bottles of wine, and
thereby succeeded in getting leave to take part of our
property back to Coomassie. Six chests were left behind
with the keys, which we only relinquished after long
resistance.

On the 11th, our return was arranged. I demanded at
least for my wife that bearers should be found, and in-
quired for those who had been sent by the governor from
Cape Coast. After much altercation, some men of Akra
appeared with ropes round their necks to carry the heavy
luggage, and what remained was brought by men of the
place. It was with a feeling of relief that we l^ft these
imfnendly people, and again set forth, hoping to find rest
in our more familiar prison house.

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SEEMING LIBERTY. 199

Botli to our joy and sorrow, we at the first stage met Mr.
Dawson, whose bearers had been placed in the stocks, so that
he no longer doubted war was decided on. We were grieved
that he on our account had been caught in this trap, which
he had not apprehended when he left the Coast. Happily
for us and himself he was a true christian, and knew how
to conduct himself as such, so that in him we found a
calm and wise counsellor and friend. The Ashantees took
without leave from the inhabitants two pigs and a sheep,
and brought us food in abundance, with which they
thought to solace us in our sorrows.

The next day's journey was a very hard one, we only
reached Akankaase in the afternoon, and but for Mr.
Flange's help poor Kiihne could never have reached it at
all; his illness had taken a very serious turn, and he could
no longer travel out of his hammock. Bearers were
demanded in the king's name in every village, untrained
men, whose roughness inflicted needless pain on our poor
brother.

Tired almost to death, drenched with pouring rain, and
smothered with mud from the swamps, we reached Amoa-
foro, where nothing but fish was to be had, as the troops
were announced to arrive the next day, showing us the
campaign had already been begun. We commenced our
last day's journey on the 14th, a double one, that we
might arrive in the evening ; whether we were able for it
or not they never enquired.

Poor Kiihne was committed to the care of the already
overburdened Akras. No Ashantee would submit to such a
degradation as to carry a burden, so we crept on as well as
we could, and at Kaase we were met by a royal messenger,
who hurriedly ordered Mr. Dawson off to the palace to a
reception. Accompanied by two armed men, we slowly
followed, and by eight o'clock crossed the swampy Suben.
The capital was unusually quiet, not a drum was heard.

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200 MISSI0NAB7 LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

We halted in the open street, and pamfully waited the
orders for our appointed lodging.

E. was so ill that we longed for home, which was at last
reached in the old mission house, where the good Joseph had
prepared comfortably for our reception. Bosommuru came
after ten o'clock with a few words of pretended comfort "A
disturbance had taken place, without the king having
any ill will to the white people or to the Fantees. The
war was only against his old slave states, Asen and
Denkjera." Empty words ! we knew where we were, and
begged to be left in peace, and allowed to move to our
plantaticm.

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THE REASON OF THE WAR. 201

CHAPTER XXV.

THE REASON OF THE WAR.

9th December 1872.

It became every day more evident that Mr* Plange was
but the pretended cause of the war. He was said to have
threatened the king, and in his letter to the governor
called the Ashantees scoundrels. Yet on the other hand
they declared they had no quarrel with the whites, and
only waged war against Akem and Denkjera! They
further stated that the governor wished to give the for-
tress of Elmina to a certain prince of Denkjera, which
must be prevented by armed interference, but we believed
that war had been decided on months before, and had
been wished for and planned for years ; not by the king,
but by his great men whose influence he could not resist,
though his predecessor had made short work with any
one attempting to dictate to him.

The real reason of the war was that the British had re-
fused for ten years to give up the chief Gjanin, who had
escaped to the coast ; this had likewise been the cause of
the fruitless expedition of 63-64. After Kwakoo Dooah's
death, king Kari-Kari had written to prince Ansa at Cape
Coast, assuring him that the past was forgotten, but the
chiefs were not satisfied. Kwakoo Dooah had once asked
them if it was to be submitted to, that a subject, having
taken the king's oath, should find protection in another
country, while they had no power to demand him back.

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202 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE,

They all agreed that under such circumstances no king-
dom could stand, such an insult could only be avenged by
war. Whatever the secret wish of the king might then
have been, he had at that time no war material, so they
were forced to wait. Owusu Kokoo, the second man in
the kingdom (Ansa's brother, and Kwakoo Dooah's uncle),
swore the king's oath that he would restore the honour of
the kingdom, and that if the people of the Coast were like
deeply-rooted palms, he would uproot them, and bring as
many prisoners as would avenge the insult. Having
thus sworn he set out, and in the summer of 1863 crossed
the Prah, without however effecting much.

When he had escaped a trap set for him by the Fan-
tees, he re-crossed the river with forty prisoners, was
stationed there for some months, but was finally recalled
by the peaceful king. Whilst preparing for a second
attempt he met his death (in April 1867). The nobles
said he had died of grief because he was unavenged, and
when assembled round the corpse, declared he should not
be buried until Gjanin's insult was avenged, and the
head of the Denkjera prince, Kwakju, brought to his
burial The young king Kofi would not consent to this.
It seemed to him a disgrace to leave the dead unburied,
but he wished to honour him with elaborate death cere-
monies. Gjanin's matter was not to be forgotten how-
ever, notwithstanding all mutual assurances, but the
right time must be watched for, and when the highest
nobility placed Kofi on the throne, he swore " my business
shall be war."

An eventful result was that in 1868, when Akra
was transferred from the Dutch to the English, the
latter made over their territory west of Elmina to the
Dutch. This caused great rejoicing in Coomaasie, be-
cause the people of Denkjera, their slaves, who had
escaped to the Coast fourteen years before, had thus gone

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THE REASON OF THE WAR. 203

from the strong protection of Britain to the dependency
of the lenient old ally of Ashantee (Holland).

But this treaty of the European powers was more easy
to frame than to enforce. The coast towns thus trans-
ferred swore they would never adopt the Dutch flag, com-
bined in a general resistance, and called in the help of the
Fantees. The Dutch could not extinguish the flame,
although they bombarded the towns Sekondi and Com-
menda, which increased the irritation of the Fantees, who
threatened to demolish Elmina, and actually stormed it
for several weeks. The English at length succeeded in
persuading them to retreat, and quietly await the result.
During this bombardment, the chief of Elmina sent a
messenger to Ashantee, asking the king's assistance ; this
man was still living in Coomassie when we were there.

The Akwamers to the east of the Volta had already
begged for help from the Ashantees, and as it was thought
this help might, with wise management, be given to them
without irritating the English, Adu Bofo was sent there,
with an army of thirty thousand men. No arrangements
were made in regard to Elmina, for it was not doubted
that after gaining a great name by subduing the Krepes,
the general might successfully make war upon the Pro-
tectorate.

Meanwhile Akjampong (the king's unde) was sent
to Elmina with a hundred men, to watch for a favour-
able opportunity, and to prepare for an attack upon
the British power. He went by way of Kwantiabo,
and his track was marked by murder and rapine when-
ever he met with Fantees. It was intended that at the
right moment the English territory should be attacked on
three sides, by the two generals on its flanks, and by the
king himself making a charge on the Prah.

All this planning however proved unsuccessful. It is
true, Adu Bofo made many prisoners amongst the inhabi-

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204 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

tants of neighbouring towns, but the inyasion of Dompre,
combined with hunger and sickness, so weakened him,
that he was forced to return home, and the affairs at
Elmina were equally imfSeiyourable, as Akjampong, who
had undertaken the command, and who had sworn to de-
fend the town against all attacks, was finally forced to take
refuge in^ApoUonia. To all this was added the transfer
of the Dutch possessions to Great Britain, which threatened
to put a stop to the Ashantees trading to the Coast.

War was therefore resolved upon by the chiefs at that
time, but as the store of ammunition and salt was then
very small, it was desirable first to re-open the trade with
the Coast, in order to procure a supply of these necessaries.
Powder might be had in case of need from the far distant
Kwantiabo, but salt could only be got from the Coast,
and the plan was to make use of us as a means for open-
ing the way to it.

For this reason, every enquiry of the English
government respecting us was answered in a friendly
tone ; the royal messengers who were constantly hurry-
ing backwards and forwards on our account, always
had a suite of twenty men who were at liberty to pur-
chase as much as they pleased, and the people of the
boundary also held large markets yearly at which Ashan-
tees could buy salt although at a high price ; prisoners
too were constantly exchanged in wder to lull the
governor and the Fantees to sleep, and confidence was so
far restored that the Fantees again ventured to go to
Coomassie for trade.

At last the governor, in a complaisant manner, pro-
claimed peace between tiie Ashantees and the Pro-
tectorate, and thus the ''great nation'' had what it
wished for, free liberty to trade in order to prepare for
war, which was unceasingly desired, as the surrender of
Elmina could not by any means be prevented. A hint

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THE REASON OF THE WAR. 205

from Coomassie was however sent to the Ehnina chief to
wait quietly, so he hoisted the English flag; but the
Ashantees fully believed Elmina belonged to them, though
the king wrote (through prince Ansa) that the surrender
of the fort was a grief to him, but that he would forget it.

It was also made a cause of complaint that Akjampong
had not been followed to Apollonia by the full number of
his troops, but in December, after we were brought back
from Fomana, he was sent forward to the Frah with the
desired escort.

Meanwhile the desire to prepare for war was so ardent
that it was not easy to deceive the Fantees who were in
Coomassie, so, after every conceivable report had been
spread as to the object of the campaign, such as expedi>
tions to the interior, &c., the mask was thrown off. On
December 9th, the day we were seized in Fomana, all the
X5hiefs marched from the residence, and every town and
village united in one cry, " War, war, against the Coast !"

To measure themselves for once with the white men
was the secret desire of every Ashantee chief That the
critical hour had arrived they all acknowledged, when
the news came of the surrender of Elmina. They could
not aUow the kingdom to be broken up bit by bit, as they
considered. Not that all were agreed in opinion : many
an Ashantee owned that the grounds for war were that
we were imjustly kept prisoners, that the governor had
shown himself well disposed by sending the quarrelsome
Akjampong back to Coomassie, &;c.; but all this did not
alter the resolution to make war to the knife.

Every one knew that this campagin was very different
from that against Krepe. It was to decide once for all
whether the Fantees were to be subject to the Ashantees,
or the Ashantees to them. For myself I had not the
slightest doubt that Ashantee was running blindfold to
its doom^ but this seemed absolutely necessary before this

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206 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

poor country could be taught the source of healing and
unchanging strength. Some time or other it will have to
acknowledge that Eari-Eari is not God (as Afirifa and
others declare), and that it is nothing, and can do nothing ;
then the message of salvation may be acceptable.

The campaign at length opened. Two divisions
marched in advance, the right against Denkjera, the left
against Akem. But the main army consisted but of few
troops, for many a chief who formerly commanded twenty
or thirty men, was only followed by three with two guns.
Both divisions were ordered to make their way to
Fomana, and the plantations were quickly plimdered, for
the supply of food to the troops was quite insufficient,
and they feared they were going to die of starvation;
there was also a report that small-pox had broken out in
the camp, and that one of the chiefs had died of it. We
could only look up to the Lord who would doubtless
glorify Himself in Ashantee.

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AMID THE FLUCTUATIONS OF WAR. 207

CHAPTER XXVI.

IN COOMASSIE AMID THE FLUCTUATIONS OF WAR.

We remained in the plantation (till January 10th), the
cold not allowing us to stay longer. We also preferred
the mission-house, for in those disturbed times no native
was secure from being sold into slavery, and little Rose,
not being free from fever, we felt more comfortable in
Coomassie. Several christians were there, Mose Ajesu,
the former teacher, Richard Kwabin, and Theophil, the
cobbler's boy, who were foimd in Ashantee-Akem, and
brought in bound, but at once set free.

The British Administrator released Akjampong, the
king's unde, in December 1872, and when the Asens
wanted, on his journey through their country, to detain
him a prisoner, he ordered them to leave him alone, hop-
ing thereby to give an assurance to the Ashantees of the
good will of the English towards them. When he and
his suite were to receive their welcome, it was proposed
that we should attend. Kiihne and M. Bonnat were pre-
vented by indisposition, but I was invited with the two
ambassadors. Flange and Dawson, to be present.

The procession was headed by an official, three hundred of
Akjampong's warriors followed, then three Fetish priests
painted white, with their Fetish on their heads. Some of
these gentlemen saluted, others insulted me, and still more
Messrs. Dawson and Flange. Akjampong himself be-
haved very badly, although he must have known that he
was greatly indebted to the kindness of the governor.
But judgments were already becoming apparent.

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208 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

Afirifa, who had said in Fomana that the king was Grod,
was accused by Akjampong of surrendering Ehnina to the
English, and of being the cause of his (Akjampong's) im-
prisonment in the fort, and now his God allowed him to
be beaten, his hands and feet to be put in the stocks, and
his wives and property to be taken from him. Truly his
falsehood and wickedness deserved punishment, though of
these special crimes he was not guilty. If he had sworn
the king's oath that Akjampong had gone to Elmina
against the king's order, he had been commanded to do it.

He was doubtless treated with enmity because he had
returned home a wealthy man, and though afraid to offer
his goods for said in Coomassie, he made his head-
quarters for business in a little village. Nothing could
be kept a secret in Ashantee, where the most faithful
follower of the king was not secure from the machinations
of jealousy, envy, and ambition.

For some time we had been obliged to content our-
selves on Sundays with few but attentive listeners, but
on January 25th I had again the happiness of proclaiming
to large numbers the Word of Life. It was difficult, how-
ever, to regain the feelings of former days when faith and
hope were bright. The state of our dear child also
depressed me. I prayed for help to testify, under all
circumstances, of GU)d's unchanging grace and love both
in season and out of season, and he gave us ere long
cause to bless Him for the restoration of the little one's
health.

Great excitement prevailed around us from the varied
reports. The Akems were said to have attacked the
camp by night, and carried off prisoners with powder
and provisions. A huge gathering assembled in the
market place, and the king summoned his Fetishes to
prophecy for six hours as to the result of the war. Some
fifty priests foretold that the army would conquer the

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AMIB THE FLUCTUATIONS OF WAR. 209

Akem, Asen, Fantee, and Denkjera tribes, and that many
Akems would take refiige in Ashantee. The great Fetish
declared "if the white man interfered he would kill him,
and put another in his place/' Other priests professed to
drive away the evil spirits by throwing small packets of
gold dust and crushed food into the air, and guns were
loaded with papaw leaves, and fired aloft amid tremen-
dous shouting. Large promises of at least a thousand
slaves were made to the Fetishes, if they would give the
victory. A live sheep was pinned to the earth with
wooden skewers, and the priests were lavishly rewarded
for their efforts. The king, who spent his nights in
dancing and drinking, gave them ten peredwane (£81),
twenty loads of salt, twenty goats, twenty sheep, and
seventy bottles of rum, together with fifty slaves (firom
the betrayed Wusutra). See page 169.

On January 29th, dark clouds appeared in the horizon,
sounds of distant firing were heard, and it was evident
that the Ashantees were fighting. The women ran
through the streets singing, and the king not only played
and danced to drive away the evil spirits, but offered
many sacrifices, and at day break visited his ancestors at
Bantama, — all signs of bad news from the south.

Twenty or thirty men were said to have been drowned
in the Prah, others to have been carried off by the enemy,
while Amankwa, the proud chief of Bantama, and head
commander, was reported among the slain. This we dis-
believed, and soon heard that it was an under chief of
Bantama who was drowned, and that the Asens, after
firing a few shots at those who first crossed, had retreated
to Fusuwei, thus causing great confusion.

Mr. Dawson's depression now increased, for he feared
the king regarded him as a prisoner. Obtaining an inter-
view with him after many efforts, he was speedily dis-
missed, the king smilingly remarking that ''the roads

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210 MISSIONARY LIFE IN A8HANTEE.

were too uncertain for travelling, and it would be highly
unproper to allow an ambassador to go through a crowd
of excited people. Mr. Flange's threats had brought on
the war, while the king had only to do with Asen, and
not with Fantee or the governor, but if these latter inter-
fered, his majesty would himself go to. the field." Mr.
Dawson replied that " the governor would hardly under-
stand the crossing of the Prah in that sense, but if Fantee-
land were really unconcerned in the war, why were so
many Fantees lying in chains ? " His majesty was dumb.
He then added, that if he had to remain longer in Coom-
assie, he and his people could not subsist on the nine
dollars which the king gave him at the Adae. Kari-Kari
quieted him on this point, seeming himself full of care,
and gave him thirty-six dollars, with nine more for his
bearers, and nine for the servants.

On the little Adae, February 5th, Mr. Dawson was asked
to stay away, as he did not wish to give him anything again
so soon. We received our nine dollars, Mr. Flange only
half the usual sum. As the purse became lighter, confidence
also decreased. Of the Krepe people who were serving in
the camp, some deserted to the enemy daily, as was to be
expected, and Asamoa Kwanta, the real commander, was
said to have told the king that they would never conquer
unless he sent all the prisoners to the Coast.

Monday, February 10th (Kidjo), was counted one of
the luckiest days of the year, so the king commanded a
victory ! but it transpired later that there was no fighting
on that day, though the women made a dieadful noise,
running about with guns, or sticks as a substitute, and
some with green papaw fruit run through with knives, in
imitation of Fantees' heads, thus seeking to insure a
victory for their husbands. The king having sent to a
mohammedan in the interior to consult an oracle, re-
ceived as answer, "this war will not end to your advan-

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AMID THE FLUCTUATIONS OF WAR. 211

tage as long as you keep the white men, who are constantly
crying to God, — prisoners ; let them go, and you will con-
quer." It was in consequence reported that we were to
be given over to the ambassador of Akwamu, who was
in Coomassie, and to return through his land.

As the people believed that we were the cause of their
troubles, we discontinued street preaching, and only held
our service at home, where our friend Mr. Dawson and
some Fantee and Elmina christians joined us, and several
boys came in the afternoon.

It was not until some time afterwards that we heard
how on Kidjo Monday, both the ambassadors were
summoned to the palace for examination before Akjam-
pong and his followers. By the king's desire the chief
stood up and explained that Dawson was a most danger-
ous man, inasmuch as he constantly travelled about brib-
ing the Coast tribes to submit to Queen Victoria ; and had
even gone to Apollonia, there to alienate the people of
Ashantee, and to extol the protectorate of the English.*
" Thus," continued he, " this mulatto landed one day with
a European in Apollonia, and informed me that by the
command of the governor he had brought me my men
from Elmina. Whilst I was rejoicing at the news, they
suddenly informed me that I must accompany them, and
even refused to allow me to bathe and eat before starting.
Some soldiers seized and bound me and my servants,

*Mr. Joseph Dawson, formerly in the employ of the Wesleyan
Missionary Society, came into pubUc notice in 1872, by taking up the
idea of self-government. This was repeatedly brought before the people
of the Gold Coast by i^e British government, and Mr. D. endeavoured
to form a confederation of all the Fantee chiefs. The minor princes
were to unite in protecting and guarding the country. Thirty-one of
them signed the agreement on November 24th, but the government
withheld its approval Mr. Dawson nevertheless succeeded in persuad-
ing the chiefs of Wasa to promise that in their land human sacrifices
should cease.

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212 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

roughly dragging us on board the boat which was to take
us to Cape Coast. They stole all my jewellery except
my bracelets, and sixteen peredwane in gold. I wonder
what I shall get from these mulattos in return." Mr.
Plange was next held up for disapproval "A bad man
' that ! He told them at Elmina they must adopt the
English flag, for he was sure from what he had heard at
Coomassie that the power of the Ashantees was declining.
Although he had brought a mirror, he had obtained
charge of it by subtlety. It was given to my care, but hav-
ing no place for it, I asked the governor to take care of
it, upon which Plange persuaded him to let him bring it
here."

^ Dawson then rose, saying, '' I thank God that I see
people before me who have ears." (The interpreter Apea
interposed, pointedly, " We, too, thank God that we have
ears"). " All accusations made by Akjampong are lies,
or misrepresentations of facts." (The king, " nothing of
the kind ; how about the sixteen peredwanas) ? Apea,
you are a bad man, hold your tongue." " I am in the
king's power," said Dawson, "who may behead me if he
likes, but I will refute lies."

Thereupon a diabolical noise ensued, and though both
Dawson and Plange were invited to speak and defend their
rights, not a word could be heard. All kinds of threats were
uttered, and the king dismissed them, saying, " My people
go to war against the Coast, and you are in my hands ; when
they return, you will see ;" whUe the others added scorn-
fully, " we will not eat any more with you." (An ironical
phrase used towards those who are condemned to death.)
Akjampong then swore that he would hasten to the
help of Elmina, and the Elminians were ordered forward
to state their political opinions. Those who had refused
to adopt the British flag were ordered to the war, the
rest detained in Coomassie. Amongst the former (there

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AMID THE FLUCTUATIONS OF WAR. 213

were but seven), was a christiaii and his wife. He was
ordered to join the troops, while she was to remain. After
begging permission to take her, and failing to obtain it,
this man declared he would stay in Coomassie. She was
his wife, with whom he had come there, and he would not
leave her. Half angry, half astonished, the king acqui-
esced.

Akjampong then set out to collect forces in Safwi, and
Kwantiabo to free Elmina from the British yoke, though
it was next to impossible to be assured of this, for almost
everything proposed had a hidden meaning. For instance,
when Mr. Dawson had an interview with the two Bosom-
murus and Mensa, and told them how wrong it was to
hear one side of a subject, they only laughed and
said, " you must think nothing of these things, the king
and we know that Akjampong has reason to thank the
governor for bringing him back to his country, but we
were obliged to act thus."

Mr D. then ventured to plead for the Fantee and Akra
prisoners, who were still in the stocks. " When the king
has time, he will release them," said they. The fears of
these poor men were not without reason, for it was already
rumoured that Akem had been sacrificed for the Fetish.
As the nine bearers the governor had sent for us were
still languishing in irons, we urged Mr. D. to beg for their
release. He represented the case to the king, who gave
an assurance to their safety. Want of provisions alid
heavy rain still prevented the forces from marching, and
the king was now threatening, now scorning the entreaties
from his chiefs to send for more men.

We turned our thoughts to more happy and peaceful
occupations, and set to work to extend our plantation,
and improve M. Bonnat's cottage. Mose and the other
christians dug and planted some land likewise, though
the uncertainty of everything around prevented the

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2U MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

interest they might otherwise have had in the work. We
waited in vain for the chests from Fomana, much as we
and little Rosie needed clothing. She was recovering her
health, and enjoying herself in playing with our two
lambs.

On February 23rd, at the Adae, it was reported that
the chiefs in the field (strengthened by the young Baren-
twa, who had crossed the Prah with some hundreds of
men), were greatly dissatisfied with their commander,
Amankwa Tiawa, who was constantly drunk, and refused
to obey him. His habits were well known in Coomassie,
but he appeared determined to redeem his oath, and to
conquer the enemy, and had reached Mansu, when he had
obtained a quantity of tobacco and salt without the
slightest resistance. The king looked grave, but seemed
to have been drinking, and though he came near, did not
salute us, but ordered the sedan chair to halt, made a few
dancing movements with the upper part of his body, and
held his sword to his temples for some time. We feared
this might have an unfriendly meaning. However, he
sent an ox to Mr. D., perhaps to appease him, and with
it came from Bosommuru the unusual advice to smoke the
meat, and save it that it might last a long time.

On March 6th, Mrs. Flange was called to the palace,
the royal ladies wishing to see her. The king also wanted
to ascertain whether she belonged to Elmina, and inquired
why she had discontinued coming to the Adae, telling her
she ought to attend, and would receive something for her
support.

Whatever might be the reason, the king was evidently
out of temper, spent many nights with the Kete music,
and made Fetish continually. On the day the three
Akems were sacrificed, a young girl going to draw water
was also seized and slain. Oh, the power of the "mur-
derer from the beginning ! "

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AMID TEE FLUCTUATIONS OF WAR. 215

On the 8th, the king marched in state to Amanghyia,
to give audience to a messenger from Cape Coast, who
bore a joint remonstrance from prince Ansa and the
British governor, warning the monarch against making
an attack which would risk the loss of his whole army.
The people had threatened to behead this poor man on
his journey, but he courageously declined to deliver his
message to any but the king.

On the 12th, we were rejoiced by the release of our
nine bearers, who were sent to work in the plantations
for Asare. At the little Adae on the 19th, we heard in
the palace that a sharp encounter had taken place, and
that the Ashantees had retired to cover their retreat. As
a matter of course the king danced the Kete all night.
We were aroused in our first sleep by two young officers
who entered the yard with torches, crying " Quick, quick,
the king calls." K. and I hastily dressed — M. B. was in
the plantation; the king did not want Flange, which
caused him great apprehension.

We hurried through the empty town, and to our sur-
prise met Dawson furnished with pen and ink, which
reassured us. We went through six courts to the golden
gates, viz., two small doors inlaid like a chess-board, with
gold and silver. Here under the decorated pillars of the
verandah sat the king with a few councillors and inter-
preters. Seven sword-bearers crouched on the left, and
on a sign from the king we were seated.

Instantly a man got up, his hands in a block and a rope
round his throat, so that we feared there was to be an exe-
cution. He was a Fantee prisoner or actor who imder-
stood his profession, and was to tell what he knew of the
war. He said " I am a native of Anamabo, a relative of
Mr. Blankson. It had long been known that Europeans
had been captured in Ashantee, and that the heads of
different governments had applied on their behalf to the

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216 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASSANTEE.

Queen of England, and even wanted to come themselves
and see what could be done, but she had undertaken to
obtain their liberty.

The subject of a ransom was under consideration when
the news came that Ashantee was at war with the Coast,
but this the governor did not heed. They then informed
him that the Ashantee army had arrived at the Prah,
and that the white men as well as the governor s messen-
gers were killed, one only having been spared, whose
head was shaved, nose and ears cut off, and himself made
to carry the king's drum, all which the governor dis-
believed. They then told him they would leave their
towns and villages, and seek for security in Akem and
Denkjera. Soon after, the governor finding that the
Ashantees were really approaching, ordered the people of
Cape Coast and Abora to march against them, and gave
orders that whoever was not at his post on a certain day
should be shot. The Fantees then flocked together and
rushed upon the Ashantees, but were unable to resist
them and soon fled. I hid myself in the bush," con-
tinued the poor man, "but was soon discovered and
taken, and because I spoke more readily than others in
the camp, I was chosen to announce the news to the king.
Thus I have the honour of now standing before him."*

Mr D. enquired where the battle had been fought, and
was told in Nyankomase, which was not far from Cape
Coast. The king then turned abruptly to us, and said,
" I sent for you to write to the governor, against whom
my army has not marched, but you are not to do as Mr.
Plange did, and write an underhand letter. The words
were then dictated thus —

" The king greets the governor, prince Ansa, and Mr.
Blankson. He is grandson to Osee Tutu, who conquered

* This prisoner really spoke the facts of the case, as was afterwards
ascertamed.

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AMID THE FLUCTUATIONS OF WAR. 217

Denkjera, and Elmina was under his protection. He
heard the governor was going to march against his troops.
Would his Excellency understand that the campaign was
not directed against him or the Fantees. The king had
ah^ady heard, through Mr. Plange, that the British
intended taking Elmina with the fort in less than four
months, and giving it to Kwakjei of Denkjera, and also
wanted to humble the king of Ashantee. This has so
roused the anger of his chiefs that they had sworn to go
to war with Denkjera, for the fort must not be given up
to them. If the governor wish to recall his troops, he
must send back the Denkjeras, the Asens, and the Akems,
as they all belong to Ashantee, but if he refuse to do this,
his majesty will himself lead his army to the field. It
is reported further that he has killed the white men
and the ambassadors. In order that his Excellency may
see that these are in good keeping, his majesty allows
them to sign this letter."

At Mr. Dawson's intercession, we were permitted to
enclose a few lines to our friends. One of his people
was to carry the letter to the Coast, accompanied by the
imprisoned Fantee. As he was leaving, I mentioned the
boxes waiting in Fomana. Kari-Kari seemed angry, but
promised to have them sent. Before midnight we were
again at home, filled with anxiety as to what might
be the object of the letter, but took comfort in the
words from which Mr. Dawson preached on Sunday,
March 23rd, " All things work together for good to them
that love God."

I felt much cause for humiliation and self-abasement in
my daily life at this time, for though I wrote my journal,
continued the study of the language, and by daily visits
to the market, managed to supply the wants of our
small household, and to work at the plantation, what did
it all amount to ? The time seemed rapidly passing ; we

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218 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

had already been three years and a half in Ashantee.
Alas ! how little was accomplished. Again I renewed my
vows, and earnestly sought to do more than before in my
Master's cause.

On April the 3d, we received a packet of letters through
Mr. Dawson, which had arrived months before. In them
the governor inquired what the king's real intention was.
Why had his army taken a hundred and twenty Akems
prisoners ? If he wished for peace, why did he not keep
the peace ? If for war, why not say so ?

" I have sent Akjampong," said he, " in spite of the re-
sistance of the Asens, to show that I keep my word."
We were sorry that Mr. D. was not allowed to translate
this letter literally. Prince Ansa wrote, "pray father,
send the Europeans." A letter from Mr. Buhl, of Novem-
ber the 7th, spoke of boxes waiting for us at Cape Coast ;
meanwhile we were thankful to receive the two from
Fomana, after four months' delay.

April 6th, Palm Sunday, at the great Adae the king
danced in the wildest manner, stretching out his hands
towards us, as if he would say, "I will get you all
yet." Mr. Dawson preached in the afternoon in Fantee.
I was discouraged by finding how little I <;ould follow
him; and though on the 11th (Good Friday) I hoped the
Fantees, to whom I attempted to speak on Isaiah 53d,
understood much ; yet I was painfully conscious how
cramped I still was in the language.

News of a second battle a day's journey from Cape
Coast now arrived, and the Ashantees were reported
defeated. Another night of wild dancing and music
followed, though they appeared to have gained some
advantage, as prisoners began to arrive. On the evening
of Saturday, the 13th, the king took his seat in the
market place to receive the greatest trophy of the fight,
Amanaman, a chief of Wasa, who, after having sworn the

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AMID THE FLUCTUATIONS OF WAR. 219

king's oath, had withdrawn from his government, and was
captured unawares by Adu Bofu. Against our will we were
forced to be present, and were surprised to see so many-
people still left in Coomassie, and rushing to get a sight at
these poor unhappy creatures, who were dragged forward
amid hideous cries that sounded far above the wild music.
Most of them were nearly naked, with only a
cloth round the waist, and their hands fixed in the
block which they carried on their heads, and bound
together in companies of ten or fifteen, by cords around
their necks. They formed a sad spectacle as they passed,
looking dreadfully frightened. The women, old and
young, followed, some with infants on their backs, others
leading bigger children by the hand, who crouched in
terror at their mother's side. The cruel spectators not
satisfied with threats, struck these little creatures, causing
my very blood to boil. There is a time to be scomfiil, and
a time to be scorned ; a lesson Ashantee was soon to learn.

The king's son, who conducted the prisoners from Adu
Bofu to his father, was profusedly complimented. Follow-
ing these poor miserable creatures, and with a rope round
his neck, came old Amanaman, who was received with
a shout of execration. How we longed to give them a
word of comfort, as these wretched beings turned their
large eager eyes on us.

For the Momone women it was a day of great rejoicing,
after their weeks of painful suspense, when songs of woe
and lamentation alone had been heard in the palace. The
king at once went to Bantama to attend at a sacrifice of
fourteen men from Wasa ; we really felt like the disciples
of old, who wished that fire would come down firom heaven;
but the patience of our God was greater than ours.

What a relief was it to us to turn from such a spec-
tacle, to our quiet little service, where on April the 9th,
with a few Fantees from the Coast, we enjoyed sitting

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220 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

together at the Lord's table. Two of these people, Peter
Asaba and his wife Martha, gave us great joy by their
consistent Christian conduct; they lived with us, and
often united in prayer. Peter was earnestly striving
to learn to read and write.

My wife's health had become a subject of great anxiety
to me, and made it necessary to seek rest and change of
air at the plantation. I entreated Bosommuru to refrain
from suddenly visiting us, as any shock increased the
irritability of her over-excited nerves.

Songs of lamentation were now sung every night before
the king, and news again came of a battle and heavy loss
to the Ashantees, who lay like " com on the threshing-
floor," under the fire of the enemy's guns. The prince of
Mampong was reported among the wounded ; and the
ruBijours spread, although the Ashantees allowed "no one
to speak of this war on pain of death."

The king's conduct grew more and more strange. On
the 29th of April he summoned the Fantees from the sur-
rounding villages to sing and dance before him, and when
they came sent them back, but a day or two after recalled
them, when about thirty-five performed. He rewarded
them by some rum and eighteen dollars, told them of his
good- will to their nation, and that he would soon restore
them to their country. He also presented our three
native christians with some old military dresses, in which
of course they looked ridiculous. These too he assured
of a speedy restoration, as he had notiiing against the
Akwapems, and but one thing against Denkjera. He in-
vited my wife and Mrs. Plange with Rosie, but the former
was too ill to go, so Mrs. Plange took Rosie with her
nurse, returning in an hour and a half.

The king and his aunt, for whom the visit was chiefly
intended, were much pleased. The little thing play^
with a cat, and amused herself by adorning her foot with

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AMID THE FLUCTUATIONS OF WAR. 221

the white painted earth made for the Fetish. Kari-Kari
seemed really to love this child, and said, " when she goes
to the Coast they will say, 'at least something good
grows in Ashantee/" Before leaving, Mr. Plange took
the opportunity to prefer a request for salt, which one of
the attendants said we also needed. A load was sent to
Mrs. P., with nine dollars, and the like sum was sent to
Rosie, but no salt, though we had so often begged for it.

During the night a poor old man, one of the Akra
prisoners, died after undergoing great sufferings. He had
been in the block with insufficient food four months, and
was never allowed to wash the whole time ; how sad that
for no crime or wrong he should have been thus tortured.
He had often brought our boxes for us by the king's
order, and we had pleaded in vain for his and his
companions' release.

Before our pretended journey to the Coast, we had, as
being more economical, kept separate tables, and now
returned to the same plan. M. Bonnat was most anxious
to spare expense to the mission ; not regarding himself as
one of its agents, he therefore restricted his personal
expenses to two dollars and a quarter for the three weeks
intervening between the great and little Adae, when the
usual supplies were given us. This sum was really insuf-
ficient, and his health suffered in consequence, but he
most thankfully managed with it and a little supply
from the plantation.

The 6th of May proved a day of mourning, and songs of
lamentation were sung throughout the night, while early
in the morning the king, with his face and arms painted
red, went to Bantama. The chiefs were besmeared with
the same colour. He had previously visited this and
other places three times in one day, hoping thus to avert
the impending evil by offering many human sacrifices,
and amongst them the poor old chief Amanaman. The

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222 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

cause of all their excitement was that a great chief had
fallen, that two others had gone over to the Fantees, and
a person of great consequence had been killed by accident.

So urgent had our need of salt become, that I wrote to
the king about it, and also told him of our serious loss of
gold dust and dollars, which had been abstracted from our
boxes in Fomana. Mr. Dawson translated the letter, and
Bosommuru Dwira affected great surprise, and pretended
to enquire if Ashantees had stolen the money, which we
knew was the case." *' The king must be told of that,"
he said, but " the salt was a mere trifle, and could be had
at any time." Happily, it did arrive very soon, with
strict injunctions to be careful of it ; and we felt it too
great a treasure to waste, for the price had become exor-
bitant.

We heard that the Ashantees were at Dunkwa, six
miles from Cape Coast, but did not know what to believe,
for even the king himself knew little that was reli-
able, though he left no stone unturned to obtain
correct intelligence. A man from Akra, who had
escaped from the block, told the king he had been sent
from Ata the king of Akem, to the governor, who ques-
tioned him about the war, on which occasion his excel-
lency had called the king of Ashantee a false man. The
governor sent him back to Kjebi, from whence he escaped.
When asked if the Fantees, Asens, Denkjeras, &c.,
and their families had really fled to the fort, he re-
plied, " I will tell the truth, even if it costs me my life.
All is quiet in Cape Coast, only Asens and Denkjeras
have fought with the Ashantees, but no Fantees." The
king was very angry at having been misled by false re-
ports, neither could he understand why his messengers
were detained so long at the Coast.

His conduct before the next Adae, when as usual he
was drinking publicly, was increasingly strange; he

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AMID THE FLUCTUATIONS OF WAR. 223

danced wildly, and appeared incensed against us. Daw-
son with difficulty escaped from the violence of the
people. On our seeking an explanation, he assured us he
meant nothing, but was obliged as on former occasions to
afiect displeasure, and even hostility, to satisfy his nobles.*
In accordance with this statement, he behaved in a
friendly manner at the Adae itself (May 18th), danced
with a rusty old sabre (probably to a Fetish), but with
all due honour.

When I returned to the city (May 23rd), I found
Kuhne in an alarming state. He coughed day and night,
and was distressed by constant sickness and sleeplessness,
accompanied by so much nervous prostration that I
feared we must leave the plantation and come in to the
town to nurse him. I applied to Owusu Kokoo to ask for
the delayed boxes, as one of them contained a medicine
chest. I wrote to the king also, and finally got them on
June 23rd !

*"Wliat the king really said was, "I am the grandson of Osee Tutu
(who delivered Ashantee from the yoke of Denkjera), and this " Ata ''
(Mr. Flange), comes here to tell me that in four months my power will
come to an end ! Who, who will come against me ? Who dares to ap-
proach my throne ? I will kill him (with a gesture of beheading), Fan-
tee, Asen, Denkjera, Akra, Aknapem, Akem, are all united against
me, but who dares to enter into a contest with me ? I wiU kill them.''
This is the style of a Goomassie proclamation.

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224 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

CHAPTER XXVII.

WE BUILD FOR THE KING.

The king had suddenly been seized with the idea that
as prisoners it was right we should work for him, and
ambassadors, missionaries, and christian Fantees, were
all required to unite in building him a European house.
On Sunday morning (May 25th) Mr. Dawson entered, and
with a very grave face told us that the king intended
to call us Coast people together, to accompany him to
Amanghyia, and there to erect for him a house. Although
struck with this strange caprice, which reminded us of
Israel in Egypt — D. begged his majesty to allow us to
spend our Sunday in peace.

On his way to us he had encountered some natives
painted red, acting a tragedy (Sokada) and dancing, as
if possessed, to the mournful music of the horn ; they
approached him in a threatning attitude, crying, as he
tried to avoid them, " He who fights is he who dies."
"I am Kari-Kari*s slave and fear none." These words
sounded alarming, but there seemed no reason to fear
danger to our lives, while so many Ashantees were in
the hands of the English.

Whether we should be allowed to remain in Coomassie
to witness the return of the army and its humiliation
appeared, however, doubtful. The king, it had been said,
was preparing the house in Amanghyia, to be inhabited
by Europeans, and we therefore thought it probable our
little dwelling would be stripped, and we have to return
to our former life of privation.

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WE BUILD FOR THE KING. 225

Anxious for my wife and child, who still remained at
the plantation, I united with my brethren in childlike,
simple prayer, and then went to tell Rosa of our new
experience. She took the news very calmly, assisted me
to pack up at once, and bade farewell to our harbour of
refuge, to which we had really become attached.

When I got to Coomassie, I set out with D. to find qui*
friend Bosommuru, who had been asked in vain to visit us j
he saw we were uneasy, but made light of it, and said
the king had been building a new village, and wished the
Fantees to help him ; he was ready to swear the oath of
the king's father, that there was nothing more in it ; I
thanked him, and said he had removed a heavy burden
from our hearts, still we preferred knowing the truth,
bitter as it might be, to undergoing a second edition of
our Fomana experiences ; to be treated with a sheep one
day and put in irons the next, did not suit us ; he laughed
and said there was nothing of the kind to fear.

On Monday (May 26th) we set forth after a long delay
in waiting for Bosommuru. Dawson, Plange, M. Bonnat
and I went first, and were followed by the Fantees,
forming a procession, which seemed to surprise the
Ashantees. We halted at the cross road to Duro, a few
steps from our old Ebenezer. The king appeared in a
sedan chair, saluted us kindly without stopping, and as
he turned into the bush, said, "I will send for you
directly." Acordingly a messenger came, who led us by
a foot path to a small plantation, behind which we found
a good sized piece of land, recently cleared of grass and
reeds.

The king began, " I like this place, therefore I want to
build here. How I wish that you would build a little
for me ; something handsome, a European house, in order
that I may be reminded of you when you are gone to the
Coast. You 'Mmorowa' (D. PL B. and I.) will come when

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226 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

you can to see after and direct the work." The king's
request was so modestly made that we felt pleasure in
agreeing to it ; with one accord we all, including the Fan-
tees, declared that we should be glad to do his majesty a
service. Then a bullock, two loads of salt, two sheep, and
a peredwane (thirty-six dollars) of gold were given to us four
" Mmorowa ;" and one load of salt, one sheep, and eighteen
dollars to th,e " Mmofra" (Fantees). Thus the work was
undertaken with real energy, though we thought sadly
of the many thousands obliged to live without salt, unable
to pay the nine dollars which was the price of a load !

After the king had left, we returned home laden
with our riches, slew the ox, and divided it as well
as the money. From this time we devoted ourselves
to the king's building, for although it had been said,
"Come when you please to inspect," it was carefully
noticed who came and who was absent. Owusu Kokoo
and two other princes were always on the building
ground, but not much progress was made. When we
urged that the foundation should be laid, we were told
that the king must come first and perform a ceremony,
and he could not go out for a week before the Adae,
which falls on June 11th. v

On the 13th, this ceremony took place, much to our dis-
tress. A sheep was slain, and the blood sprinkled on
certain places, while numerous prayers were oflfered to
the Fetish. One prayer or wish ran thus — " The old ones
have done their work, now Kari-Kari sits on the throne,
he has taken a few Fantees prisoners through whom he
wishes to build something. The chiefs are all gone to
war against the tribes at the Coast, so help us here, and
bring Fantees, Asens, Denkjeras, Akems, Akwapems,
Akras, and all here. Crushed bananas, mixed with palm
oil, were also thrown about, and the slain sheep was torn
to pieces in a moment by the people.

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WE BUILD FOE THE KING. 227

The kind of house we were to build remained undecided.
I drew a plan of one fifty-three feet long, without stories
and galleries on one side. The king wished to have them
all round ; but it was difficult to get the beams for their
support. There were only two sawyers, the others were
but learners ; as until the Fantees had seen sawing at the
mission house, they had no idea of it. Counting Joseph
our servant, we had but three carpenters, to whom the
king gave a set of tools.

Whilst waiting for wood we proceeded with the pre-
paration of sun-burnt bricks for the walls, covering them
with banana leaves, which were not water-tight, yet
answered the purpose, as but little rain fell at that time.
Necessary materials were always freely promised, and as
certainly never ready when wanted. The 16th was fixed
for the laying of the foundation stone, and we wished to
write a short accoimt of the circumstance as a memorial
of the building ; but they were so fearful of our witchcraft
that they jealously watched our every movement.

When the king understood that the ceremony which
Mr. D. described as done in Europe could be performed
in the evening, he expressed a wish to be present, and
enquired by Owusu Kokoo if we required a sheep, which
we declined, although we were always thankful for any
gift. We were ready at two o'clock and waited for him,
till heavy rain came down, from which we had no pro-
tection but the workmen's sheds, so we turned our steps
homewards. On the way we met the princes with a
sheep and some gold, who ordered our return, and com-
manded the business to proceed notwithstanding the
king's absence, delivering the sheep to us, with thirty-six
dollars, and nine for the six Ashantees. Mr. D. took
some of the money, laid it in the hole, and prayed that
God would give the king wisdom, he then adjusted the
stone, and covered it with earth. The people wanted to

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228 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

slay the sheep on the stone, which we peremptorily for-
bade, for we could not allow their fetish practices to be
in any way mixed up with our religious observances and
prayers, they " might kill the animal where they liked,"
we said ; which they at last did, and connected tiie act
with the expression of their own wishes to their god*
Thus, after all, the affidr did not conclude very satis-
factorily.

This impression was strengthened when we found that
Owusu Kokoo^ from a sense of gratitude on account of the
princely hospitality he had experienced at the Coast, had
actually brought tiiis sheep firom Mr. D.'s stock, because
he thought he wished to hold a Fetish ! ! Supposing the
animal to be a present, we had rejoiced in the hope of
being able to give a full meal to the poorly fed workmen,
but now our own supplies were thus diminished. From
tills time forward the king appeared nearly every day on
the building ground.

The 7th of July was the fifth birthday which my poor
wife had spent in captivity, yet in the review of the dark
idiadows of those years, how blessed we had been by more
than gleams of sunshine ; many things we should have
delighted to possess had been denied, yet what mercies
had been granted, even more than we had asked for in
our prayers. Our little daughter was a blessing indeed,
and our experience with her helped us to cast the burden
of the future on our gracious God.

By the end of the month, notwithstanding the unfavour-
able weather, the house had made some progress, the walls
had reached the height of the windows, tiiough the con-
stant rain prevented the brick- work from drying — and we
prepared to lay the beams for the first floor, but as a very
small part <rf the wood required was ready, and could not
be for some time, we decided to take a few weeks* holiday.

During the discussions about building, the ideaof anerec-

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WE BUILD FOR THE KING. 229

tion for a vane was incidentally mentioned; the king caught
at it, and gave M. Bonnat no peace until he promised to con-
struct one similar to that he had described, viz., a rotunda
supported by twelve pillars with four arrow-heads in the
centre of the roof to denote the direction of the wind. When
his majesty saw M. B. climb the roof to adjust these, he
was excessively amused, and child-like expected the mango
stones which KUhne had sown as a future ornament for
the walls, to come up as rapidly as Jack's bean stalk.

There were reports that cannon was heard thundering
on the Prah, and the king enquired of D. what was meant
by firing seven times, he said it might mean a salute,
upon which Bosommuru answered, " that is right." We
only hope the king will not, as in 1864, only encamp by
the Prah for months, but fight the matter out at once.
Whether it might be deemed necessary to humble
Ashantee by pushing forward to Comassie, we could not
guess, although without wishing for such an event, we
were inclined to believe it would be so. We felt that if
such were God's will. He would protect us, and it might
prove the very means of our deliverance ; indeed, if the
troops came to Fomana only, Ashantee would be in terror
and might hastily release us, but they might also take
us away into the interior. We trusted to be kept in the
exercise of faith and love, and ultimately to be allowed" to
work, and not cast aside as useless tools.

At the ceremony consequent on the death of two
princesses on the 16th, several unhappy people were
sacrificed, women amongst them. Alas ! what blood had
been uselessly shed since our detention.

We noticed increased depression, and heard many en-
quiries around us as to how matters would end. Food
became so scarce that the people were selling their goods
and furniture to procure it, and bitterly complained of
their losses. Even in the palace they seemed anxious and

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230 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

almost parsimonious. Mrs. Plange, Palm, and the mace
bearer of Dawson received but one and a half dollars
each at the Adae, instead of three, as formerly ; we still
had nine for three weeks, for which we felt most thank-
ful, as all our stores were rapidly diminishing. The king's
behaviour was enigmatical. He often danced " Kete" the
whole night, and in the morning appeared on the building
ground in high spirits, seeming to have no cause for an
anxious thought.

We suggested to him the propriety, or even necessity,
of having but one storey to his new house, not only on
account of the scarcity of material, but from the fear
that the walls being damp, would not sustain the weight
of a second. The caution was useless, " No," he said, " if
the rain hinders, you can suspend work for a month."
This decision dashed the sanguine hope of the Fantees, who
expected when the house was finished, to be sent home.
For ourselves, we concluded the delay would make little
difference, and neither hasten or postpone our freedom.
If we asked for meat or money to provide for our people,
the king at once complied, but it was always a very long
time before any supply came.

On August 8th the first floor was finished, and then
came a pause of two months, for we could get no saws.
It seemed also cruel to urge men to work who were
suffering from hunger, and we could provide no food —
the folly of beginning to build under such circumstances
struck us very forcibly. The king doubtless cursed the
hour when he had allowed his chiefs to draw him into
war, by promises which were never fulfilled, of supplying
him with treasure from the Coast. Meanwhile the
Momone women continued dancing and singing bravely.
On the great Adae (August 10th) the king appeared
serious and subdued, and when passing the Dampan, on
which Dawson sat, and the sword was offered him by the

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WE BUILD FOR THE KmG. 231

sword-bearer that he might dance, he refused it, which
implied disaster.

In the evening we overheard a woman crying aloud,
" mother, what am I to do now ? " leading us to fear she
was being placed in the block ; most of our neighbours
being Asumankwas (doctors), who are often entrusted
with the care of prisoners. When Mr. Plange drew nearer
he heard an Ashantee who had returned from Serem, and
had given his message to the king, talking excitedly. It ap-
peared he had been sent with an Asumankwa with powder,
to purchase a very strong medicine (aduru) which would
destroy the people at the Coast. The mohammedans in
Angwa, about four or five days' journey from Salaga — ^the
great market-place — took the powder, but refused to give
him the medicine. High words ensued ; the messengers
swore a great oath, the moslems seized sword and dagger,
and in the wild skirmish which followed several on both
sides were killed, and the Ashantees returned home.

Soon after the moslems sent, requesting their return
to settle the affair, promising them goods; they went,
and thereby fell into a trap similar to those with
which they had often decoyed others. They were
conducted to a place where powder was laid, which
was fired and exploded, killing some on the spot, and
mortally wounding others, while a few escaped. This
occurred forty days before the barricading of the road,
and they found it difficult to make their way back.

Among those who fell was Amoaku, and it was his wife
we had heard crying so bitterly. From other houses
similar sounds of distress soon proceeded. It was thus
evident that the central tribes had thrown off the yoke
of Ashantee, of which they had long been weary, and
the course which events were taking at the Coast be-
came clearer. To our surprise, however, a mohamme-
dan hung himself in the town, and the affair at Serem

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232 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

was represented as a dispute between the ABhantee
chiefs.

Owusu Adum, a brother of Owusu Kokoo, was sent to
Kwantiabo, but could not proceed because the road was
blocked. The Ashantees had not gf late gone to that
town, but had traded with the people on our side the
Tano river. They were therefore now placed in a diffi-
cult position, for it was said that a messenger from
Kwantiabo had warned the king to let the white men and
Fantees go without delay, otherwise tiie English would
be at Coomassie by Christmas. It was further said and
quickly believed that communication was cut off between
the two divisions of the army.

Every effort to gain the ear of the king was now in
vain, and when at length Dawson met him, he enquired
four times if we might proceed with the house before ob-
taining an answer. He was told how unreasonable it was
to require men to work without food, and that it made us
heart sick and indignant to think how well the captive
Ashantees were treated at the Coast, while the poor Fantee
prisoners were required to work on empty promises, with-
out the necesssaries of life.

On the 20th, the king appeared on the building ground
earlier than myself, and blamed Dawson severely, com-
plaining of the delay in progress. The want of food was
again urged, and again more supplies promised. At length
only half the men would work.

On the few previous Sundays, especially on the 24th,
we rejoiced to see more Ashantee listeners, who came un-
invited. We had also many temporal mercies. Both my
wife and child were well, spite of their many privations-
Bread, sugar, coffee or tea were unknown luxuries, yet
little Rosa ran merrily about all day with her foster
brother Kwame, the nurse's child. This fact had how-
ever its dark side, for we knew not how or where to pro-
cure more shoes. She talked nicely, and her feverish

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WE BUILD FOB THE KING. 233

attacks yielded readily to treatment. We daily prayed
that she might be kept from the evil influences around
us. • On her birthday, September 2nd, M. Bonnat surprised
us by a pretty little chait of odum wood, with back and
seat of plaited straw.

Poor Kiihne's depression increased, and his distress was
great when at the Kete dance the king had an Ashantee
killed, and four more accused of desertion given over to
the hangman. An attack of hemorrhage came on, and
though a sweet sleep and a cheering dream followed, his
settled conviction was that he should find his grave in
Ashantee, ardently as he longed for his native land, and
to see his parents' graves once more.

We were increasingly destitute of food for the work-
men, and Dawson at last begged the king to lend him
money to buy it, but in vain. The chief who was
appointed to protect the wall neglected his duty, and D.'s
patience at length gave way. He came into the town
and declared to the prince Owuso Kokoo that he would
not go again to tiie building until help was provided.
Former assertions were repeated. The king had begged
us to hasten the work, and we delayed it ; he had there-
fore " turned away his eyes from us." We felt this to be
very unjust, for we could neither help the rain, or create
workmen or tools, but as we wished to ensure the good-
will of the king, we put the matter before the men, and
entreated them to work on rainy as well as on fine days.

The masons now played us a trick. Professing to have
heard there was no dry brick they ceased to come, and
Dawson felt it needful to keep them in punishment until
the prince saw them. They begged for six lashes and to
be set free ; but as false reports and spitefrd assertions
were constantly carried to the king, who professed to
make full investigation, but ended by upholding them, we
would not yield. After much discussion and misrepre-

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234 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

sentation, this vexatious affair was ended by a conciliatory
message from his majesty, and we as usual tried to think
the best The prince however believed these Fantees to
be ill-disposed, and capable of very bad actions, Akjere
Mensa had said many things against us all, but especially
against Dawson, as untrustworthy. The king gave us no
opportunity to explain, so we resolutely refused to employ
him. He went to the palace to complain, and returned
with a message that we were to allow the men to work,
and that his majesty would come himself and see us;
thus the backbiter remained, but no work was given him.

Our small affairs were now forgotten, for a sudden death
plunged the palace and the town into great grief. On
our Rosa's birthday the 2nd crown prince Mensa Kuma
died, at sixteen years of age. This was publicly announced
at four o'clock, but before that hour royal servants oc-
cupied all the streets to catch the fugitives. Kwabena,
the captive son of the chief of Peki, who had often been
our informant, brought us the news, warning us to let
none leave the house lest he should fall into the hands of
the odumfo, who were searching everywhere for victims.

His master Kwantiabo had been sitting in council half
an hour before in the palace with the other chiefs, sur-
rounded by their followers. A messenger suddenly
appeared and whispered to the king, who stooping down,
rubbed the tips of his fingers with red earth, and painted
his forehead. On this all the servants rushed from the
palace, and on a sign from his master our young infor-
mant did the same, without really knowing why, for this
was his first experience of this savage custom. Soon after
came Dawson in a state of alarm, to enquire the reason
of the awful tumult. The people outside were frantic,
seizing poultry and sheep, killing them and throwing them
away, and men were eveywhere falling victims to the
odumfo's knife.

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WE BUILD FOE TEE KING. 235

Fi;om one of Bosommuru's followers we afterwards
heard that the king's brother had died, and that nearly a
hundred and fifty men would be sacrificed at his funeral.
In the evening of the same day we saw men carrying
numbers of long fresh cut branches, which were to serve
for binding the sacrifices. Owusu Kokoo at length ap-
peared greeting us from the king, who sent us word that
his youngest brother had died, and as his friends he must
inform us, and we must tell the Fantees of the event,
but we need fear nothing, although the customary sacri-
fices were not pleasant. Indeed they were not ! This
was an attention which induced us to suppose he had
heard of our anxiety and excitement about passing events.

The deceased youth was to be followed to the grave by
slaves only, some of his own, and others who had long
been languishing in irons. It was expected that every
great chief would offer a gift of human life, and many
men who were going about free, fell beneath the knife of
the odumfo. Up to midday the king and his followers had
been sitting at the north side of the market-place under
the tree where we used to preach. Around him were
crowds playing the wildest music, who all fasted, but
drank the more. These offerings from the chiefs were
presented — dresses, silk cushions, gold, ornaments, sheep
and MEN ! In the afternoon he resumed his seat in the
market-place, and all who had guns fired them ; at this
signal some victims fell.

M. Bonnat and KUhne, who were in the street for a few
moments, saw three odumfos rush upon a man standing
among the crowd, pierce his cheeks with a knife and
order him to stand up ; they then drove him before them
with his hands bound behind like a sheep to the slaughter.

The deceased prince had besides several wives of royal
blood, three of low birth, who when they heard of his
death ran away and hid themselves. The king supplied

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236 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

their places by other girls, who, painted white, and hung
with gold ornaments, sat around the coffin to drive away
the flies — and were strangled at the funeral The same
fate befel six pages, who, similarly ornamented and
painted, crouched around the coffin, which was carried
out at midnight. For three days previously the poor
lads had known they were doomed to go with the un-
happy women to the grave.

On Friday, the day of the '* king's soul" (he was bom on
Friday), no blood must be shed, and all the bodies of the
slain were dragged away early in the morning to the
entrance of Apetesini. The ^antees were filled with
horror at the sight; they had witnessed the murder of
twenty human sacrifices, some of them lads of ten years,
others old men. We wondered how the people could sit
down to eat after the appointed three days' fast. The
town was quieter, and the king divided sheep among
his chiefs. The funeral ceremonies were continued on
Saturday the 6th, by every one having their heads
shaved.

The dancing women attended at the palace to comfort
the king, for which they received presents of gold. On
this occasion, a princess quarrelled, and allowed herself
to utter insulting words. The king ordered her to be
taken out on the spot, and not only did she lose her head,
but a prince and other Ashantee nobles fell on the same
day. It was really a reign of terror, and none could
understand whether it was an outburst of ungovemed
passion, or an intimation of absolute power. On Monday,
a week after the death, a fast was again observed, and
we knew too well the sad accompaniment. We could
only sigh and cry to the Lord of Hosts, and we knew that
He would hear us, although we were taunted by the
question, " Where is thy God ?"

From the 1st to the 10th of September, the slaughter

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WE BUILD FOB THE KING. 237

continued. The king himself actually killed some mem-
bers of the royal house, many slain corpses lay exposed,
and in forty days the same dreadful doings were to be
repeated!

We now heard that Amakje, king of ApoUonia, had just
eaten fetish (joined himself) with the Ashantees. His
people refused to follow him, so he was induced to go
almost alone to Adu Bofo's camp, where he was seized
and laid in irons. He is accused of having given up
Akjampong to the English without fighting, and subse-
quently of giving up his throne to them. The proceed-
ings of these negro chieftains are very mysterious. They
know how the Ashantees deceived the princes of Wusutnt
and Tongo, in the last war with Kxepe, and after enticing
them here with their subjects, sold or slew the latter,
leaving the chiefs alone and destitute, yet they prefer the
yoke of Ashantee to the mild British protectorate ; they
like to be without restraint, and to behead or hold death
wakes at pleasure till they fall at a sign from the majesty
to which they have looked up for protection.

On the little Adae (September 3rd), we received orders
to stay away on account of the great slaughter demanded
by the general mourning. This involved the loss of a
couple of dollars, which were woi-th much to us just then.
M. B.'s allowance was only two dollars and a half, and Mr.
D. had come to his last fiffthing, yet we were expected to
go on building the king's house. We ordered our two
servants to earn their living by trading in palm wine; for
ourselves we felt confident that our Lord would not for-
sake us, and that He would enable us to forgive the
people who had taken our money from us in Fomana
(£60), and whom we were now obliged to serve. Some
' candles and a small box of butter remained of our provi-
sion ; these were carefully saved for Rosa. We took much
pains to manufacture sugar, and with M. B.'s help we suc-

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238 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

ceeded in making six pounds of syrup or molasses, but
could not crystalize it.

September 10th, the king at length opened his purse
and sent us seventy-two dollars ; of these the carpenters
received eighteen, and the thirty labourers the same sum,
but the sawyers were forgotten ; we had our share, and
tried to procure something extra for the sawyers who had
the hardest work, and were treated most inconsiderately.
Ten days ago they brought eight beautiful planks as a
present for his majesty, but when boards were wanted for
the prince's coflin, six of these were taken without cere-
mony. Sometimes the king comes to the building groimd,
gives the men brandy, and orders them to dance and sing
before him till they are very merry ; this is intended to
make up for every disappointment.

September 20th, the king came to see the verandah,
at which we had worked very closely. Instead of thanks,
he only remarked that we did nothing. He took no
account of the rainy days, but thought the house ought
to have been finished long before. We were told that he
very much wished to show the finished house to his
chiefs to make them ashamed, because they had sworn to
bring the governor's castle bodily to Ashantee. He had
gained a house from the Fantees without war ! Building
in West Africa is certainly no child's play, and in this
case our patience was put to a very severe test.

At last, September 5th, after great exertion, the front
verandah was erected. His majesty rejoiced like a child,
and gave an ox to Mr. D., and eighteen dollars to the
dancing Fantees, but instead of rewarding the poor
sawyers as he had promised, he complained that they
had sold several plaiiks to his cousin, a man who was
within a hair's breadth of becoming king in his stead,
and whom he regarded with great jealousy. In his anger
he explained '' that should not happen again; he would

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WJE BUILD FOR THE KING. 239

buy the planks.'* Besides this, he discoursed upon
poKtics, " T have done nothing to the governor, and yet
he has taken up arms against me. If I had wished to
fight against the white men, I should have gone to the
war myself. You, too (addressing D.), I have learned to
know, and have proved what your real spirit is." This
was meant as a hint that we were ungrateful, and ought
to esteem ourselves happy to build for so great a king.

We happened to hear from an Akwamer who had come
to Comassie with an ambassador, that the white man in
Odumase had presented his majestywith a large umbrella,and
had interceded for us. We supposed that our brethren were
trying in this way to influence the king, but we had little
hope that they would succeed. Messengers from the camp
also came, who reportedthat AduBofo had actually captured
a whole tribe by means of the old trick — that he wanted to
eat fetish with them ; these poor people belonged to Apol-
lonia, and had formerly sought help from the king.

Adu Bofo continually begged for men and money,
and a proclamation was issued, ordering all soldiers
who were in the plantations to hasten to the camp
on pain of death for delay; at the same time the
army sent a petition to be recalled ; to this the king re-
plied, " you wished for war and you have it. You swore
you would not return till you could bring me the walls
of Cape Coast, and now you want we to recall you because
many chiefs have fallen, and you are suffering. When I
danced on the market-place in times past, you said, ' he
wishes fo^ war.' It was not I, it was you who wished it.
What can I do ? I am drunk to-day and must play Kete
with my wives. In due time I will send you an answer."
On October 13th, the forty days since the death of the
king's brother expired, and the sacrifices began afresh.
Amongst others, the king laid hold on a Fantee, which
. grieved us much. He had emigrated ten years before, and

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240 MISSIONARY LIFE m ASHANTEE.

had gained his living by trading, hut as he earned more than
the Ashantees he was avoided by them, and at last resolved
to escape. On the road to Akem he was seized near D waben,
and brought back a prisoner. He professed to be going to
reclaim a debt, but as he had taken all bis goods with him
he was pronounced guilty, and delivered to Kwantabisa^
the chief of the wood-bearers, to be watched over.

Ewantabisa did all he could to save his life; he re-
moved him to a neighbouring house, and six times dis-
missed the hangman who was sent to fetch him, declaring
he did not know what had become of him. He hoped
that the king would repent of the step he had taken,
for he did not always know who had been led to the
block. But when the odumfos came the seventh time,
and said that if this man were not forthcoming another
would be taken in his stead, Kwantabisa was obliged
to give him up. This execution naturally enraged the
Fantees, although they hoped that on reflection the king
would acknowledge that he had committed a rash act.

In October we set to work vigorously on the second
floor of the house, which wonderfully pleased the king.
Still our entreaty for salt was neglected. Happily, my
wife continued well, though occasionally rather nervous
and excited by trifles. Poor Kiihne was no better, and
his cough was very trying, though he sometimes man-
aged to visit the building carried in a hammock.

The chief of Aguogo was now accused to the king as
not having sufficiently guarded the border against Akem,
and was sentenced to lose his head. He however
escaped to Boakje Tenteng, who succeeded in effecting a
mitigation of the capital sentence to the payment of a
heavy fine (ninety peredwanes). We pitied this man,
who was a simple-hearted friendly fellow, with but few
Ashantee characteristics. We heard at that time that
the Ashantees had suffered a defeat, and lost several

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WB BUILD FOB THE KING. 241

chiefs, and we learned the particulars from the Krepe,
Kwabena, who always accompanied his master to the
council The king asked his councillors what was now
to be done ? He had heard from Akwamu that many
European soldiers had landed at the Coast, and the
governor wishing to finish the war during the dry season,
had joined with the Coast tribes, and was hastening on to
Coomassie^ The Fantees and the white men in the
centre, on one side an army from Kwau-Kodiabe, and on
the other a mixed host from Akra, Akwapem, and Akem.
Amankwa had thrown coals on an ant hill, and now the
insects were spreading themselves in all directions.

It was truly no joke this time. From Ada to Cape
Coast the land swarmed with troops, especially Hausas
from Lagos, and numbers of white men. As usual great
weakness was manifested. Guards were dispatched in
every direction to prevent the possibility of flight, and to
press in all capable of bearing arms, while the king
grumbled and accused Amankwa Tia.

There were indeed signs of evil omen, but we knew on
whom to cast our care, and were assured that many
prayers were ascending on our behalf. The king sent a
messenger to the interior to a renowned moslem, begging
for medicine to the value of a hundred peredwanes, for
the destruction of his enemies, and then gave orders for
his army to return over the Prah, promising to hav^
branches thrown across to help them. After these pre-
parations he danced alj night, and in the morning
(October 20th) proceeded to Bantama to perform fetish,
and offer two human sacrifices. He saluted us, and I
went to work, glad to be freed from the deafening noise
of his followers.

Discouraging reports were increasing. - The Akems had
taken three hundred Ashantees, and Amankwa Tia had
experienced another defeat; thus our last remaining

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242 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEK

chance of obtaining the much needed salt was gone, as
the governor had sent to Kwantiabo and arrested the
chief. Nothing was so likely to convince the Ajshantees
of their real position as the impossibility of procuring this
indispensable necessary.

But we had to sustain a new misfortune. On Sunday
morning, October 26th, we heard that the house, which
had reached the second floor, had fallen down in the
night, in consequence of the incessant rain. When I be-
held the ruin I could not help weeping. The king was
very sorry, but was willing to admit the real cause, and
seemed well pleased that we were ready to begin again as
soon as dry weather should set in. When the Harmattan
commenced we determined to rebuild, but before doing
anything else we resolved to erect a shed in which to
store the dry bricks. The Fantees had cleared the
greater part of the rubbish by the 31st, and exerted them-
selves so much as to elicit praise from the Ashantees; but
they were still kept without payment from the king.
We afterwards heard that six houses in the palace court
had fallen on that same Sunday, and the stone building
had suffered considerable damage.

The king was so struck by this, that he called for a
Fetish priestess, and demanded an explanation. "It is
on account of the foreigners," replied she; " if the king let
the Fantees and the white men go all will succeed, other-
wise nothing." For this declaration she was placed in
irons. Still the rain would not leave off, but recom-
menced every evening, to the amazement of the Ashantees.

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JUDGMENT APPROACHES. UZ

CHAPTER XXVIIL

JUDGMENT APPROACHES.

Late in October it was apparent to us that the Momome
women were arranging a procession which betokened
something unusual We heard that a great council had
been held on the 27th in Amanghyia^ when the chiefs had
begged the king to recall the army. But he had not been
willing, unless his great men would repay him for the
outlay, which he estimated at six thousand peredwanes
(216,000 dollars), and they had bound themselves to do
so. It was a fact that the Akems were pushing on, they
had evidently cleared a way through the forest as far as
Dadease, which was on our side of the boarder. The
Wasas were said to have deceived Adu Bofo's army and
beaten them.

The ambassador of Akwamu was dispatched with
the answer, which follows : — '* The king thanks you for
your news, and the hints you gave. I too have
a warning to give you. Do not be enticed to Akra or
you will be imprisoned. I am young it is true, but I
would not bring misfortune upon my country. My fore-
fathers were all benefactors of their kingdom, I would be
the same, and I will see what is to be done. I cannot
possibly send the white men to you yet, they are making
something that is to be finished in two months^ till then
one must have patience."

It was reported that the army would return to the

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244 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASEANTEE,

neighbourhood of Coomassie, and if positively necessary,
the white men and the Fantees would be set free.

We made a last attempt to secure the release of our
poor invalid, Kiihne, by sending his own written state-
ment of his increasing illness to the king, and pleading
for his prompt removal to a dry mountain air, which he
had formerly found restorative, and where he would have
suitable nursing and nourishment. We hinted that thus
the king might at once open communications with the
Coast without in any way compromising his dignity. But
we received in reply only this message (Oct. 20th), " Cool
your heart, I will see what can be done, and send you
word in a short time ;" which time never arrived ! Thus
our last hope, that this application might give an oppor-
tunity for D. to speak to the king, was cruelly disappointed.

The poor king still chmg to the belief, that as water
never went up the mountains, so the British could
never come to Ashantee. But if this should happen, his
heart would certaiEily fail him, he was much too weak to
hold out against the united Coast tribes, especially with
the added assistance of the governor, and in the event of
their success, nothing but the influence of the governor
could restrain them from wreaking their vengence upon
Ashantee until he and his people would have to sue
for mercy. The governor however would make no treaty
until we were set free ; thus we felt «assured no violence
would be offered by the king for fear of retaUation upon
himself, and this led us to believe he would yield.

Meanwhile his wives sang the old national songs to him
every night, praising the deeds of his forefathers, in wild
pliintive tones which moved him greatly. Many a one did
he send to these same forefathers through the cruel hands
of the executioners during those hours, and in the morning
visit his building with a smiling face, striving to hide by
a great effort, the uneasy state of his mind.

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JUDGMENT APPROACHES. 245

After Icmg consideration, I resolved to recommence my
street preaching, but very few Ashantees came, and I did
not idtimately pursue it, feeling uncertain if the king ap-
proved; if he did, I thought he would soon let me
know. I prayed that I might have a heart to testify
warmly of a Saviour's love to the lost, and a ready tongue
to proclaim it fiaithfully, and that the bread cast upon the
waters might be found after many days.

Four messengers having arrived from AJkwamu, the
chiefs were hurriedly summoned to the palace (November
18th), and later in the evening Mr. D. was called. The
dialogue began thus : —

" You were sent here respecting the ransom."

" No," answered D.

" Have you brought the money with you ? "

" Certainly not : flow could I have kept it here a whole
year?"

" Has the money been handed over to Owusu Kokoo."

"It was weighed before my eyes, and given to a
mulatto (Mr. Grant) in charge, but as I left before Owusu
Kokoo, I cannot know what occurred in Cape Coast after-
wards."

To the king's last question as to whether the money
would be paid out in Cape Coast if we were all sent back,
Dawson could only repeat, " I do not know."

On the evening of the 20th he was again sununoned to
the palace to read two letters from the governor to the
king, of October 3rd and November 1st. The first con-
tained the only direct news we had heard from the Coast
for a year. The second referred to another which must
have miscarried, Amankwa Tia being closely surrounded
by the enemy. The governor sent a copy of the missing
letter by an Ashantee captive, and required an answer to
three points contained in it in twenty days (while twenty-
two had already elapsed). The Idng had broken the

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246 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASEANTEE.

peace by invading the protectorate, burning villages, and
killing their inhabitants. Yet the governor had pushed
back the Ashantees with a handful of troops. Now he
was commissioned from Europe to chastise the king him-
self; and the troops were daily arriving at the Coast. His
Queen however was enduring, and was willing to believe
that misunderstanding had led Eari-Eari to enter on the
war. She would therefore make the terms as easy as
possible. If the king wished for peace, he must, before
any treaty could be entered into, —

I. Recall all his troops who were stationed in the Pro-
tectorate.

II. Restore all innocent prisoners, men, women, and
children, with their belongings, and send them to the
Coast.

III. Engage to make good all damages done to the said
prisoners.

It was not to be supposed that the king could resist the
British army, when the native troops had already pushed
back the Ajshantees.

The letter was heard in profound silence, its very truth
made it the more painful, and all became serious. We
could only beseech the Lord to open the eyes of the king.

We had heard much of the proceedings at the Coast
from our friend, Kwabena. The En^ish were, he aflSrmed,
determined to push on to Coomassie, and were even then
advancing. The king had therefore better not listen to
those who would flatter him with the assurance that " no
one had dared to attack Ajshantee from time immemoriaL"
Things had changed, and it was now high time to wake
to the impending danger. Great preparations for the
campaign were being made at the Coast.

After the letter was finished, the queen mother arose
and addressed the great men. " I am old now, I lived
before Kwakoo Dooah, and I have now placed my son on

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JUDGMENT APPROACHES. 247

the Ashantee throne. Three or four years ago, Akwamu
begged for help against Krepe, the Ashantees obeyed the
call, and brought some white m6n here and much booty.
The chiefs have now marched against the CJoast, the war
is going against us, the enemy threatens. The chief of
Akwamu entreats incessantly for the white men, for until
they are set free he will have no peace, and perhaps be
taken to the Coast. What is to be done ? I do not wish
for our successors to say my son was the cause of the dis-
turbance of the sixty nkurow" (towns, i,e,, the whole land).

"From olden times it has been seen that God fights
for Ashantee if the war is a just one. This one is unjust.
The Europeans begged for the imprisoned white men.
They were told to wait until Adu Bofo returned. Adu
Bofo came back; then they said they wanted money.
The money was offered, and even weighed. How then
can this war be justified ? The building of the house
cannot be given as a hindrance, for if peace were once
declared, the governor would gladly send builders. Taking
all into consideration, I strongly advise that the white
men should be sent back at once, and God can help us."

The chiefs adjourned. Hard as it appeared to them
they knew that their reduced half-starved army could
not stand against fresh troops, so we thought they would
try to soften the enemy by setting us firee, while they still
had a choice.

On the 21st we were filled with gratitude at the birth
of a little son, whom we felt constrained to name Im-
manuel, in memory of God's faithful guidance throughout
our captivity. It was noticeable that this boy spent his
first months in almost entire obscurity, the Ashantees re-
garding it as an ill omen when a son is bom to an enemy
on their territory ; his existence was therefore as perfectly
ignored, as was that of his little sister noticed, wondered
at, and rejoiced over.

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248 mSSIONART LIFE Hf ASHANTEE.

On the same day Mose was summoned to translate the
governor's letter, in company with the other two Akwa^
pems.

On the 24th we had to attend to write an answer, un-
accompanied by Mr. Plange, who was set aside. It was
modelled in Ashantee fashion, one point made prominent,
the other not noticed. We were seated when the king
hastily cried, " Dawson, write to my good friend and tell
him that I have received his letter. Before it came I had
sent to recall Amankwa Tia; now I will send a fresh
messenger to call all back. I have no quarrel with the
white men, they are my dear friends, only when I heard
from Plange that the Elmina Fort was given to Kwakje
Fram, my chiefs grew angry and marched out to bring
him here ; but now that I hear he is dead, I am content.
The fear that my soldiers might go too far, and make
things unpleasant for my good friends, has caused me to
recall my army ! As regards the white people, I have
detained you on their account ; as soon as I get the £1000
I will send them away with you." Of course he wished
to have his army near him, if only to defy the governor
anew.

On the 25th the king's answer was signed, and Mr.
Dawson read the heads of a letter to his Excellency, in
which he asked if the £1000 could not be sent to Coo-
massie. Whilst I was silently considering this proposal,
the king suggested that I should write to the same effect
in order to be set at liberty. I replied that we had never
interfered in money matters, and should stiU less like to
do so now. Several chiefs exclaimed, " It is so !" Apea
alone remarked ironically, " If you don't care to be set free,
do as you like." Nevertheless, by the king's permission, I
did write to several friends, and the Fantee, Asiedu, was
sent to the Coast with the letters, accompanied by a
messenger of the governor.

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JUDGMENT APPROACHES. 249

In one of our interviews with the king, M. Bonnat and
I again begged him to send K. at once to the Coast on
account of his health. His majesty answered, " K. swore
formerly that he would not go alone." When D. remarked,
" the white men are not in the habit of swearing," Owusu
Kokoo rejoined in a stem tone, " the king does not tell
Ues."

Having laid the foundation of the new building with
stones, it was agreed that if I were obliged to be ab-
sent on account of my wife, D. should keep watch over
the workmen. We had a narrow escape of taking all this
labour in vain, for it entered the king's head to fancy
that he would rather have the house built in Twere-
boanda, in the neighbourhood of our old Ebenezer, because
this place was supposed to be the special haunt of evil
spirits. Some Fetish priests enquired into this matter,
and decided it was not so. The position was therefore
not to be altered, and the basement was happily completed.

On the 29th the king came to inspect our work, and
told Mr. D., with a face beaming with joy, that his army
was on the way back, and had already reached Fusuwei
(a day's journey from the Prah). We gathered however
from other sources that though the army had broken
through, it had been thoroughly beaten, many captured,
and numbers scattered. Owusu Kokoo's brother Osei
told (December 5th) his people when the Akwapems
were supposed to be asleep, that such a battle as that at
Fusuwei had never been fought by the Ashantees, all
fled, Amankwa lost twenty peredwanes of gold-dust,
Kwasi Domfe the whole of his jewellery, and Akjampong
was taken prisoner. Almost every night Kete was danced
at the palace, and the excitement was excedingly painful.

Kotiko and Kwado, Ashantee messengers, who had been
more than a year at Cape Coast, were now said to be ad-
vancing, as ihe governor had sent them to Amankwa's

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250 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

camp, accompanied by numerous soldiers. They were
ceremoniously received (December 6th) on the Bogyawee
place, when the king and aU his chiefs danced about the
streets, painted white, to express their joy ; glorious news
having been brought to the king. " Kwakje Fram the
Denkjera prince had fallen, together with his nephew,
seven Fantee officers, and one European ! Amankwa Tia
had killed many Fantees and chased the rest into the
sea, besides punishing the other Coast tribes, and because
a fellow on the Akem side had annoyed the king, this
glorious captain had returned to punish him." Then
came grand bursts of hurrahs ! It seemed incredible that
the king could so misrepresent matters to his people ; but
such was the fact.

This message was delivered in the open air, so that it
was immediately made public. Whether the king thought
that his subjects were so completely in subjection as to be-
lieve those statements, we could not decide ; but we were
pretty sure every one knew how matters really stood.
Perhaps he thought it right to avoid all outward signs of de-
spair and mourning that he might give new life and courage.

In a more restricted circle he testified his sympathy
with the army in another way. He had sworn the great
oath before his chiefs, that whoever dared to make game
of a soldier, or even to hint that the army had achieved
nothing, should be put to death. Besides this he sent
the troops forty small casks of powder, and gave the
mohammedans ten peredwanes for using sorcery to hinder
the white men from rising. He even took one of our
porters, who had said he was a Fetish priest (no doubt by
way of obtaining food) into his service, and gave him a
new house; but the poor fellow always went about guarded,
thus paying dearly for his foUy.

On December the 7th, the king with his followers again
danced through the streets, but ceased long before daylight

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JUDGMENT APPROACHES. 251

The messengers entered merrily into the king's ideas, and
Kotiko related how many Ajshantees had been put to
death by the cruel governor. " My wife," said he, " was
about to lose her head, when just in time to save her
came the king's letter, assuring the governor that the
white men and the Fantees were still alive, causing him
to regret that he had been so rash." A true Ashantee
messenger.

When these gentlemen visited us, a royal guard was
present, so that we could not ask many questions ; but
when I inquired after Ansa's health, Kwado answered
with some hesitation, " he is well." We afterwards dis-
covered that Kotiko had told a Fantee of his acquaint-
ances, " these were three Ashantees who fell victims to
the rage of the people, who on hearing of the murder of
the prisoners, attacked Prince Ansa's house, destroyed
everything, and killed three of his servants, The governor
sympathized with the prince, and promised him a full
compensation." This report sounded credible; it was
further said that the prince had been taken to Sierra
Leone with the prince of Elmina.

New reports were continually circulated ; one was that
an Akwamu in a European dress was on his way to
Coomassie ; then it was prince Ansa who was coming, and
certainly if he could help his country, this was the time
to do it. Again we heard that the liiglish were making
a bridge over the Prah.

The entry of the jaws, and a week later the triumphant
return of the army, was next spoken of. There being no
jaw-bones of the enemy, all those from the beheaded were
to be sent to meet the army, for they could not return
home without a trophy!

The king had (December 12th) proclaimed in the
villages that there was nothing to fear ; that he had con-
quered and slain all the inhabitants of the Coast. Mean-

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252 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

while in spite of the royal commands, soldiers came con-
tinually into the town, some of whom said plainly,
** Even if the king send us forward again, we will not
go unless he accompany ; we are sick of it. The white
men have guns which hit five Ashantees at once. Many
great men and princes have fallen. Amankwa wandered
for days in the forest, and (Mily escaped by the help of
two porters, and with the loss of his great umbrella and
chair." The king on hearing this sent him at once an
umbrella and three chairs to Fomana. From Akem came
the news that on the 14th a village of Kwau Kodiabe had
been attacked, and its inhabitants carried into captivity.

In the meantime we were concerned to hear that the
king's letter with our own had only reached Akrofinm,
from whence it had been sent back with the trophy.
This was told to D. by the friendly Asiedu, that he might
write other letters instead of those and deliver them to
him, in case anything injurious might have been contained
in the first. But we had long refrained from writing on
politics, even in our French and Gterman correspondence.
D. had however sent through the Fantee letters in English
writing, both to the governor and the editor of the
African Times, containing political discussions upon the
cause of the war, Ashantee weakness, etc. These every
runaway schoolboy could read. When the Akwamu in
European dress arrived, we feared the letters would be
given him to translate, still we felt sure that all would be
for the best.

On the morning of December the 15th, the king sat to
welcome the chief Barentwa with the jaw bones and the
prisoners, trophies of the campaign, and with him ap-
peared Asiedu, the letter carrier, from whom aU writings
were taken before dawn, whereupon he returned to his
old quarters at Mr. Dawson's. Through him we heard that
the danger for the Coast had been greater than we had

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supposed The Ashantees had really pressed on to
Dunkwa, within six miles of Cape CJoast, and had burned
every village. This was incomprehensible, and very dis-
honourable to the Fantees. After the Ashantees had taken
the residence of the Denkjera prince, Kwakje Fram, they
marched against Ehnina. Half the town took the side
of the British, but the upper town, where the prince lived,
not only refused to fight the Ashantees, but supplied
them with provisions and ammunition. It was there-
fore bombarded and burnt down.

In the villages around were Fantees, who would be
delivered up to the Ashantees without mercy, and who
would be the only prisoners made by them. When Tsch-
ama was bombarded, many of the inhabitants wei-e ready
to emigrate to Coomassie. Deceived in their expectations
of the willingness of the Elminas to join them, the
Ashantees retreated to a camp which was by degrees
surrounded, so that the army was almost destroyed by
privations. Two bananas or a handful of palm nuts, cost
three pence, and numbers were starved to death. In this
dilemma they corresponded with the governor, who
humanely advised Amankwa to hasten back, but not by
way of Abakrampa, unless he wished to deliver up his
army to slaughter.

The prince of Mampong and most of the commanders
followed this advice, but Amankwa took a route round
Cape Coast, which brought him face to face with the
enemy in Fusuwei, and caused heavy losses of both men
and baggage, together with five hundred prisoners, who
had been brought thus far. Mampong, on the contrary,
crossed the Prah unhurt. The Ashantees had agreed
that Amankwa caused their defeat, and that the gover-
nor's advice had saved those who accepted it. The king
had not recalled the army, but the army, contrary to his
orders, gave up the unsatis&ctory campaign.

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264 MISSIOFART LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

Asiedu asserted that Kotiko had brought back false
reports, which the king punished by arresting him. He,
although a Fantee, declared he had never abused any
of the soldiers. Mose and his followers affirm that the
jaw bones with which twenty men were laden €ure very
old. Behind some prisoners came the bones, and then
followed the Tschama people and other volunteer emi-
grants, amongst them a mulatto boy of eight years in
European dress, and accompanied by his mother. Volun-
teers and prisoners together numbered eighty persons!
And this was the result of a war which had cost
Ashantee thousands of lives; from Akrofrum to Kaase
alone, Asiedu saw innumerable bodies either dead or left
to die of their wounds. Twenty Fantees are said to have
been seen wearing the great chain which showed they
were to be sacrificed. At this time Amankwa demanded
that all the Fantees should be killed, others foretell a
general slaughter, " when the army returns plundered."

December 17th, the king was much rejoiced in visiting
us, to see that we had begim the second floor, and much to
our surprise gave us eighteen tins of preserved meat,
taken no doubt from one of the Coast towns. This was the
first gift since the downfall I A man from Filmina told Mr.
Flange how shamfully he and his countrymen had been
treated when they fled with their property to the Ashan-
tee camp ; nearly all of them had returned to British
teritory, and encouraged by the governor, were rebuilding
their town. He was obliged to go on to Coomassie be-
cause his wife and child were in the Ashantee camp, but
was rejoicing in the hope of returning to the Coast. The
Elmina women who had gone with them belong chiefly
to Akjampong's train.

On the morning of December 18th I stayed with Rosa
while D. and M. B. went to the building. All was quiet
till towards noon, when the king seated himself in the

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JUDGMENT APPROACHES. 255

Bogyawee place, and there advanced towards him, as if by
chance, a deputation from Amankwa Tia, to announce to
him the number of those who had fallen, and the names
of the important chiefs.

Suddenly a cry of distress arose which rolled like a wave
through the whole town, and people ran into the street
painted red, crying and howling till I was cut to the heart.
The sacrifices were then freed from their chains, and after
being pierced through the cheek, beheaded amid the beat-
ing of drums. Almost despairing, I cried out, " O God ! how
long shall these things be?" We saw fourteen of the pri-
soners dragged by a long chain to the hangman's quarters;
while howling and crying continued through the night.

Dumb and depressed the king returned home ; and the
queen mother is said to have mourned in the street with
her court ladies, her hands folded over her head ; for the
loss is dreadful. Bekwae, a small country, is said to miss a
thousand of its men. OflElcers who went with twenty, re-
turned alone with their baggage on their heads ! Sabeng
was really dead; either carried off by small pox or attacked
by Akemers and beheaded.

On Monday, December 22nd, the town was filled from
far and near with the triumphant entry of the army.
We asked the king if we should go to work, as the
Fantees had gone accompanied by M. B., and the Ashantees
could not wish for our presence at this ceremony. Had
we been there we should have been more surprised than
at Adu Bofo's entry ; whole rows of boxes were carried
past wrapped in precious materials, followed by their
(supposed) mourning wives, and their attendants painted
red. Two hundred and seventy nine persons had perished
by sacrifice, and more would follow. Very few could be
seen in the crowd who were painted white ; the majority
of the people were wailing in the red ornaments of
mourning.

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266 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

Though living at some distance from the market place,
we were driven almost frantic by the incessant beating of
drums, accompanied by screams and occasional firing.
From eight in the morning till seven in the evening the
army passed in file ; and the streets which opened on the
market-place were so crowded with soldiers that nothing
could be seen but a black mass swaying to and fro, whilst
over it the many coloured umbrellas waved conspicuously.
We had often been told that the whole Ashantee army
had gone to the war, which was no doubt true, and on
that day all Ashantee appeared to be in Coomassie. M.
B. who made his way unhindered through the crowds,
reckoned the number of those present at about one
hundred thousand.

The losses of the campaign were undoubtedly great.
Still, about half the army survived, and some of the chiefs
who had been reported dead returned in safety. Not only
Sabeng, but another prince, Karapa, was mourned for as
dead. The Abesui chief had been crushed, with all his ser-
vants, by the trunk of a tree falling on his tent at the open-
ing of the campaign. Altogether two hundred and eighty
chiefs had fallen. The loss of soldiers was announced in
the following way. Every chief who passed before the
king threw into a vase as many grains of com as he had
lost people. It was said that sixteen battles had been
fought, and the army had been attacked four times in
retreat, and suffered each time terrible loss.

On Christmas day, after an address from Mr. D., I bap-
tized our little son, Louis Immanuel. For this purpose
we all assembled under the mango tree in the mission
court-yard, and the day was to us as another oasis in the
desert. We could only offer to our God glory and
praise for His faithful care over us, although we were
deprived of all European comforts. With one of our
lambs a feast was prepared, to which we invited the

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JUDGMENT APPROACHES. 257

three Akwapem Christians, and on the same day I sold
the other for five dollars and a half, showing how dear
provisions then were in Ashantee. The king sent Mr. D.
and ourselves an ox as a Christmas present. He also sent
greetings to the army, but as no presents to the com-
manders accompanied them, they were nofc much valued.
Just as we had finished our meal, and were comfortably
seated together in the yard, D. was summoned to the palace.

He found the king surrounded by a few confidential
friends, and he was accosted thus; " I have already warned
you several times not to write any deceitful letters like
Ata (Mr. PL), for I wish to be able to depend entirely
upon you. How comes it then that you have written in-
structions to the Coast ? You announce to the governor
that I wished him to send the keys of Elmina, Cape
Coast, Anomabu, etc., to Coomassie ! " D. expressed sur-
prise. " Is it credible," said he, " that I should set fire to
the roof of the house in which I am living ? AH that I
wish is that a lasting peace should exist between Ashan-
tee and the Coast."

The king then said more politely, " I know that you
will be able to secure a good treaty. I only wish you
could be a second Bedae" (Gk)vemor Maclean), who had
sent back many servants to the king.

Dawson replied, " T will certainly do all I can to promote
peace, and I should like to know who has reported so
falsely ; " then turning to Kwado and Kotiko, he entreated
them to weigh the consequences of the course they were
pursuing. The latter said somewhat confusedly, they had
only repeated what they had been told, upon which the
king again became angry, and complained that the
governor had not answered his questions concerning Asea
and Denkjera, which would doubtless have pleased him.
" For," said he, " the governor is my good friend, and what
he says I will always hear. But now the Ashantees

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258 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

are being killed at the Coast whilst you are going about
free: Is that right?" Kwado declared that they had
been robbed, and five Ashantees slain at Cape Coast; and
that if the king's letter had not arrived which announced
that the white men were alive, the Ashantees would all
have been killed. Upon this D. advised him to take care,
as all he then affirmed would be written to the governor
and he would have to be the bearer of the letter.

Finally, D. received instructions to write a letter which
showed plainly that the Ashantees were afraid, and would
gladly make peace if they knew how. The king com-
plained that the governor had attacked his retreating army,
and had taken away their wounded and prisoners — that
Ashantees had been slain at the Coast, and his messengers
plundered and locked up. These things proved how
desirable was peace and friendship I D. was entreated to
write forcibly, and merit the name of a Bedae.

Asiedu was to have carried this letter, and I had hastily
written a few enclosures, but when the interpreters and
Bosommuru had signed their names, it was suddenly ob-
served that Asiedu was far too mature, it would be better to
choose as messenger a Fantee boy, who could not say
much. Aseidu, it was feared, had received verbal instruc-
tions from Mr. D., and saw too plainly the real state of
things. D.'s boy, Kobert, a lad of sixteen, was therefore
chosen in his stead, and hurriedly dismissed, under the
escort of a herald, without having an opportunity of
speaking a confidential word with his master.

So far had matters progressed, when on December 31st,
we were able thankfully to record how gracioiLsly we had
been brought through this trying year, and to beseech
our faithful Lord to give us steadfastness, and to continue
to preserve us throughout all our dangers and troubles.

The 1st of January, 1874 (a day of delightful enjoyment
at our missionary stations, where all were uniting in fresh

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JUDGMENT APPROACHES. 259

soiigs of praise) was a season of awfiil festivity in Coo-
massie, for innocent blood was flowing in almost every
street. The distressing cries of the poor widows and other
relatives, with bodies painted red and long branches waving
in their hands, were ascending continually. In all the
principal streets the doomed sacrifices stood beside the
corpses of the slain, awaiting the merciful stroke which
would end their torture. One poor man was led to his
wife's dead body, and tauntingly told to " look at her who
had gone before to prepare his supper." We could count
nearly sixty victims, chiefly Ashantees and Krepes, slaves
and servants of the dead, and many more followed them
during that night. *

On the next day, being Friday, no corpse was allowed
to remain exposed in Coomassie, but I saw on my way to
the building, three bodies which had not been removed.
Alas! one gradually became almost accustomed to such
heart-rending scenes, and to cease even to shudder. Be-
tween Coomassie and Amanghyia, six corpses which
Kiihne had seen lying in the road, were so mutilated and
destroyed by the vultures as to be perfectly indescribable.

* Amongst the Fantees who had been swept away were a girl and
boy whom the kiog sent to a Mohammedan in Duro, when our Fantees
had intercourse with them from time to time. The boy described how
the Europeans were building a broad street on the Prah, and how Mr.
Blankson had been caught buying powder (which he had sent to the
Ashantees in bottles), and had been attacked by the mob, but was saved
by the governor and sent to Sierra Leone. Twenty or thirty Ashantees
were daily taken to Cape Coast, so that the number of prisoners had be-
come a burden, and they were being sent away in ships.

The English report of the war is as follows : —

On the 11th and 14th of April, 1873, the troops of the protectorate
fought two sharp battles with the Ashantees between Dunkwa and
Kyao Coomassie ; on the 15th the Fantees retreated. Their chiefs en-
deavoured to excuse this step by accusing a member of the council, Mr.
G. Blankson, of treachery. They would have killed him if Mr. Bowe
had not arrested him in (nrder to save his life ; for in the same proportion
as the Fantees were cowardly in the battle-field, was their enmity bitter

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260 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASEANTEE.

On the 6th, Epiphany, we united in spirit with all
Christendom in prayer for the heathen, especially for that
part of the earth so saturated with blood, and that Ashantee
might be saved, however deep the darkness in which it
was now sunk, and we pleaded for a living, active faith.
Doubtless, we had failed in much, and were still very
powerless to effect good. We could not continue the
street preaching, owing to the bitterness of the poor
deceived people, yet we knew the Lord could make
even our residence amongst them a blessing.

The chiefs were now ordered to repay to the king the
cost of the campaign, and to replace the ammunition
which had been used in vain. Of some was demanded
sixty, of others forty or fifty peredwanes. They were
terribly excited, and appealed to the council at the
palace for a mitigation of these enormous demands, with
little success. Similar sums were demanded from some
of the chief people, one of whom had to sell not only his
slaves, but his wife, to furnish the five peredwanes ; he sold
his son too for nine dollars, and the poor boy cried bitterly.
There were many upright, quiet men who had wished for
peace and free trade, who lost half their families by the
war, and were afterwards obliged to sell the other half to
pay for it. But whether the real promoters of the strife
would remain impunished, remained to be seen. An
under chief entreated Dawson to speak plainly to the
king, who he thought could not continue to be deceived.
This man asserted that Akjampong was dead.

The king now seemed to care but little about his new
house; Owusu Kokoo also passed it with indifference; we
were waiting for wood to finish the windows ; could we

against every (me who had friendly dealings with Ashantee." It waa a
true report which we had heard of the dreadful doings of a Fantee mob
at Cape Coast; tbey had actually attacked and killed five peaceful
Ashantees in Prince Ansa'n house» and then stormed and plundered it

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JUDGMENT APPROACHES. 261

have procured that, the roof might soon have been placed
on it.

We were told of a chief who had wished to go over to
the enemy with his followers ; at the last moment the in-
tended flight was discovered, but it was made light of in
the camp, and a promise was given that the afiair should
not be reported to the king. On the march back, how-
ever, the whole party were put in irons and afterwards
massacred; others were threatened with the same fate.
Adu Bofo was also reported to be hemmed in between the
enemy and a river, without the power to extricate
himself

On Wednesday, January 7th, we had returned from the
Adae at three o'clock, when D. entered and announced
that the English army was at Asiaman (a day's journey
from the Prah), that Obeng had been sent from Fomana
an hour before to the south, with the Adanse chiefs, and
•that the king had ordered every man to Coomassie, in
order to head them himself. Our position had thus be-
come very critical. Whether we should be placed in
irons or killed seemed doubtful, but in any case we knew
that God cared for us and would guard us.

Few people in the town slept that night, but were con-
stantly playing Sokoda. In the morning of January the 8th,
a sword-bearer came to assure himself that we were all there.
In the afternoon we heard that Robert had returned, and
had been taken to Owusu Kokoo's house. The chiefs were
assembled in the palace, and we felt assured that the Lord
would speak a word there too. We called to remembrance
how on that day eight years before, we had been married
in Christianburg, and we earnestly prayed that our faith
might be strengthened I We saw nothing of Robert, but
Mose was summoned late in the evening, and two letters
were given him to translate, the chiefs were however so
impatient, that he only finished one. It was from an

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262 MISSI0FAR7 LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

officer on the Prah, who announced that one of the two
Ashantee messengers had shot himself.

This officer had shown both prisoners the bridge he
had built over the Prah with casks, &c., had made them
observe the cannon and arms, and had added that when
this bridge was ready an officer would be sent to the
king with an ultimatum. One of them replied that the
king would certainly kill such an ambassador, after
which he became alarmed at the idea of having spoken
injudiciously, and fearing he might be sent back to Coo-
massie, shot himself. When the king heard this, he
remarked, "It would not occur to me to kill such a
fellow." He then put off further business till the next
day.

On the 9th we visited Bosommuru, and enquired if we
were to be put in irons. He appeared astonished, and
asked from whom we had heard this, adding that he
would speak to the king about it. We begged him in any
case to come and tell us himself, as we were accustomed
to him. On the previous evening, the old Asare had
ordered two Elminians to be bound, but they had been
again set free, their landlord declaring that the king had
given no such order. Everything was fluctuating and
imcertain, and we clung yet more closely to our Bock of
defence to save us.

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BROTHER KUHNE SET AT LIBERTY. 263

CHAPTER XXIX.

BROTHER KUHNE SET AT LIBERTY.

On the 9th of January, the day of deliverance appeared
at hand, and we thanked God for it.

At two p.m., we were summoned to read the letters in
the presence of the king, his mother, and the council. We
seated ourselves near the celebrated General Amankwa
Tia, and Mr. D. took the unopened letter and i-ead it
aloud ; while we wondered the hearers did not storm at
its stern, sharp words; but they felt their power was
already broken, and he was permitted to read it through,
word for word, without interruption,

"Sir Garnet Wolseley, knight of the order of St. Michael,
etc., reproached the king with having introduced many
irrelevant subjects, instead of simply repljdng to the three
questions he had asked. The king knew well that his
predecessors had totally resigned all right over Asen,
Denkjera, etc. ; notwithstanding which he spoke of those
tribes as if they were his slaves. He had caused white
men to be taken prisoners without the shadow of a reason,
and when their friends offered a ransom he had suddenly
broken off the treaty, attacked the protectorate in great
force, and attempted to take possession of a fort belonging
to queen Victoria.

Perhaps the king did not know the actual facts con-
cerning the war. Although he had declared he would
keep at peace with the white men, Amankwa had attacked

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264 MISSIOyART LIFE IN ASEANTEE.

the English troops at Abakrampa, whereupon fifty white
soldiers had put to flight the whole Ashantee army. It
had been beaten again in Fusuwei by untrained black
troops, and finally driven over the Prah. Thousands of
Ashantees were now in British hands, besides chairs,
umbrellas, and other trophies. The British vanguard was
already at Praso ; but the real powerful army was follow-
ing from the Coast ; and from other points troops were
advancing upon Coomassia His majesty must therefore
acknowledge that the duration of his dynasty was at stake,
for he (the general) was determined, if necessary, to crush
Ashantee. But peace could be obtained if the king would
in the first place set all the prisoners at liberty; secondly,
pay fifty thousand ounces of gold for the expenses of the
war ; and thirdly, appoint hostages for the signature of
the treaty in Coomassie."

All this was quietly heard. If an exclamation escaped
any of the chiefs, the king immediately commanded
attention. The other letter required no second transla-
tion. As soon as the king had assured himself that Mose
had read it correctly, we were allowed to go.

At home all was in great perplexity. Several Fantees,
amongst them our Ewaku, had been placed in chains, and
my wife had collected the most necessary articles for our
children, lest a similar fate should befall ourselves. Whilst
we were still speaking of its probability, a sword-bearer
came running with the order, " OIwm, se hra^^ (the king
calls). We followed him with beating hearts, but had to
pass an hour of suspense in the palace, till again con-
ducted to the court we had left two hours before, where
we saluted humbly.

The king began, "Dawson, I wish you to write to my
good friend, the general, and teU him that I accept the
conditions of peace. I will not fight against the white
men. I did not command Amankwa to attack their fort

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BROTHER KVHNE SET AT LIBERTY. 265

Nay, my good friend, keep quiet, and only send an officer
here with full powers to conclude a treaty of peace, ^hen
that affair is settled, I will let you go."

We could hardly believe our ears at these words. Yet
it had not escaped us that the general was determined in
any case to march to Coomassie, which the king wished to
prevent by an expression of ready compliance. We
therefore urged him to show that he meant what he had
said by immediately setting the invalid K. at liberty.
Beyond all our expectation, he at once replied, " Go, go ;
I will send you to the governor, but you must leave Coo-
massie to-night I" It sounded almost like Pharaoh's last
command to the Israelites ; and thus the way was found
to bring out the prisoners from the prison (Is. xlii. 7).
Encouraged by this concession, we further begged that
the Fantees might be released irom their irons, which
was conceded on the spot.

How greatly we all rejoiced on again reaching home,
where everyone was trembling, while Mrs. Plange and
the servants stood round my Rosa ready for an attack
similar to that at Fomana. We felt as if going ourselves
with our dear invalid ; to know that he was free, seemed
so clearly to point to our own deliverance.

About eight o'clock a chief brought K., from the king,
a beautifully woven dress such as was worn only by the
royal family, and thirty-six dollars in gold dust. He
was to be summoned to take leave of his majesty at nine
o'clock, and was then to appear in the presented dress,
which was so heavy that he begged to be allowed to de-
fer putting it on till he reached the palace. Accompanied
by M. Bonnat he once more crawled through the courts
where the guards were posted, who started up on seeing
the torches, but were quieted by a movement of the
leader's hand. In the smallest court, by the stone house,
sat the king, stroking a cat which lay in his lap, while six

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266 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

or seven others purred around him, and let themselves be
petted by those sitting next him.

K. thanked him for his handsome present.

" Do you really think it handsome ? " he said ; " only
Ashantee kings can make such presents." He then con-
tinued, *' Aburoni Tenteng (tall white man), you are now
going to Amrado (the governor); tell him that I am his good
friend. My predecessors never fought with the white
men, but all the blacks belong to me ; I do not fear them,
for I am the man for them (with a fierce glance of the
eyes). Tell Amrado, even if he did come to my market
place I would not fire a shot at his white men ; he must
send a white ambassador, I will arrange all with him."

K. replied, " Nana (grandfather), I will tell him all."

" But you must speak softly ; you will forget all when
you see the white men."

" God s messengers never tell lies ; I will teU Amrado
that you have been kind to us, and show him this dress."

"That is right. Nana, I will pray to God to give
you much wisdom and many blessings."

M. B. then added a few words assuring the king that
he would obtain much more honour by making peace
than by fighting.

His majesty declared anew that he did not wish to go
against the white men, simply against the black. After
he had (according to the mohammedan custom) bowed,
touching his brow and his breast he said again, " I thank
you ; now go I " K. then offered him his hand, and
returned home through the empty streets.

The king had allowed him to take four of the captive
Fantees as porters ; torch-bearers too were to accompany
him to the next village. After a most painful farewell,
our dear brother, the sharer of all our joys, and of all our
sorrows, for nearly five years, departed. Two torch-
bearers marched before and two behind his hammock;

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BROTHER KUHNE SET AT LIBERTY. 267

then two boys who had been presented to him by the
king followed, carrying his few possessions. Thus they
left us, and entered the dark primeval forest ; K. cheering
himself by repeating in his heart the cxxiv. psalm. *

The whole of January the 10th I spent at the building
without Owusu Kokoo, who had gone to the south in
anxiety, after having made fetish. We were in good
spirits as we asked ourselves whether we should be able
to place the roof and thus crown our work. It would be
impossible to do this in less than ten days, and we hoped
we should not have so long to wait for our freedom.

But in the evening we heard that everything was being
prepared for war ; the men were making bullets of lead
and iron, drying com and cassada, and packing up various
provisions. The king would not yet humble himself to
sue for pardon. Ashantee must show itself valiant ! On
Tuesday, January the 6th, the holy tree in the market-
place had fallen down ; this was a bad sign ; a wake had to
be held, and among other of the devoted victims, a Fantee
prisoner whom the king had assured us should not be
killed, was beheaded.

In the course of Sunday, January the 11th, it could no
longer be doubted that the Ashantees, either the chiefs or
the king, were determined to measure their strength with
the white intruders. It was universally believed that
Owusu Kokoo and Kiihne had been sent to prepare for an
invasion, and that the army was to leave Kyidwo the
following day, though its departure might not take place
for another week. A short respite this for troops so com-
pletely demoralised, and great numbers of whom had
deserted and fled the country. Surely a month would

* Stanley relates :— " January 14th. Yesterday the appearance of a
pale prisoner, the wasted shadow of a man, put the whole camp in a
state of excitement. It was the missionary Kiihne who came to us in

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268 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

hardly have sufficed to prepare for a fresh encounter.
Their plans were however all uncertain, the king alone
knew what he was going to do.

But most assuredly on Thursday and Friday affairs
with us looked very threatening, for both in Coomassie
and the neighbouring villages an order was given that all
Fantees should be put in the stocks, and it was said that
we were to share their fate. At this critical juncture
came a letter, directing the king's thoughts into another
channel, and instead of our usual preaching, we had an hour
of prayer that we might be resigned to God's will We
were all much impressed by the seriousness of the posi-
tion, and by God's help our courage was sustained through-
out that trying day. We felt that we ought to be thank-
ful if our captivity should serve in any degree to bring
about a new era for Ashantee, and we did not doubt that
the year 1874 would mark the dawning of a brighter
day for this unhappy country.

Mr. D. paid a visit to the chiefs of Mampong and
Asamoa Kwanta, to beg these influential men to refrain
from giving dangerous advice to the king, at the same
time representing to them the serious nature of the pre-
sent crisis. Both seemed glad to listen to him, and both
made the same enquiry as to what effect the last royal
letter would probably have on the English general. Of
course the same answer was returned to each by D., viz.,
that he did not know.

On the 12th and 13th of January, reports were con-
stantly circulated as to the progress of the war. The
brother of Owusu Kokoo had sold many slaves for the
king, and was on that day sent to Kwantiabo to buy
powder. The continual excitement was very injurious to
my poor wife, for though the town itself was perfectly
quiet, troops were constantly starting to guard the road
from Daso. We now felt quite sure that the dismissal of

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BROTHER KUHNE SET AT LIBERTY. 269

K. was intended to prevent the English general from
advancing. We had another hour of prayer, for we felt
the necessity of earnest, united, and continuous supplica-
tion.

By the 14th of January, the enemy had advanced so
far forward on the side of Akem that the inhabitants of a
village belonging to Nsuta had fled to Dwaben, and two
Ashantees who arrived from the south told dreadful tales
of what was going on there. Yet whatever had happened
must have been , known to Owusu Kokoo, for he had
returned on the 10th, without having spoken to the
general himself.

We were now simunoned again to read the answer to
the letter which Mr. D. translated before the council, no
servant being present. It was as follows : —

"Sir Garent Wolseley has received the king's letter
conveyed by Mr. Kiihne, and rejoices at the peaceful spirit
which it breathes. But he considers it necessary to prove
its sincerity, that the white men should be released
within the next few days, also the Akras, Akwapems,
Elminians, and all the Fantees. The king may retain Mr.
D. as interpreter. It will not be the work of a moment
to stop the progress of the four divisions of the army ; as
the kiag must be aware. Queen Victoria wishes that
there may be a lasting peace between Great Britain and
Ashantee, which he (Sir Garnet), will do his best to bring
about. But his majesty must understand that it is as
impossible to stop the progress of the white men as to
hinder the rising of the sun."

A letter was enclosed for me from brother K., telling
me he had sent me six ounces of gold dust, and expressing
iJie hope that the God who had saved him would also
deliver us. All listened with great attention to the read-
ing of the general's letter, a^r which my own little
packet was handed to me.

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270 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

The king then asked whether Mr. D. had brought the
£1000, or if it had been paid to Owusu Kokoo. The
two ambassadors began a discussion, and a hot debate
ensued between the interpreters and the chiefs, of which
it was difficult to perceive the purport. Some chiefs ap-
peared to think that the money was in the hands of the
Ashantees, because Owusu Kokoo had been speculating
and making large purchases. The chief of Mampong
rose up and sharply accused the interpreter Nantschi of
twisting matters.

Once more at home, we united in our daily prayer,
" Open their eyes and soften their hearts, direct them, and
incline them to hear Thy voice."

The chief of Mampong summoned Mr. Dawson on
January the 16th,to consult with him on the most advisable
steps to take. D. declined to say much, for he had been
warned not to go to the chiefs, " perhaps," rejoined the
chief on hearing this, " he who warned you has prompted
me to speak to you." D. then mentioned what he thought
requisite, though cautiously, for fear of the king ; but
afterwards conversed more freely with Bosommuru, who
complained that the governor would not receive the king's
nephew, Owusu Kokoo, as a negotiator ; and that he pro-
posed peace, whilst at the same time he was advancing
with cannon, and was going to cross the Mouse mountain.

If it were so, he continued, they must oppose the
cannon with their small arms, and fight to the last man.

We were much depressed in view of the Ashantees sense
of honour, so misguided and ungovernable ; they looked
upon it as the greatest disgrace to be moved by threats to
set us at liberty. The continual excitement of those few
days completely prostrated us, and but for special help
from the Lord, we should have broken down.

We again sought an interview with Bosommuru, and
D., who felt this very important, conducted us to him on

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BROTHER KUHNE SET AT LIBERTY. 271

the morning of the I7th. We begged the chief to sum-
mon Bosommuru Dwira and Mensa Kukua, when Dawson
explained the state of affairs, and set all before them in a
clear light. Showing them how the patience of the English
government was exhausted by four years and a half of
waiting, and hope being held out which was never
realized. One course only could avert Ashantee's fall, the
immediate setting at liberty of all the prisoners. " Do not
believe," said he, " that it is possible to push back the
English. If you destroy those who are on this side the
Prah, you wiU only have defended yourselves from the
vanguard, but not from the real army. The English will
not rest until they have succeeded in obtaining compen-
sation, even if they have to fight ten years for it."

The three gentlemen listened attentively, assured them-
selves that we were of the same opinion, and perfectly
understood that Dawson was remaining as a surety for
the carrying out of the governor's word. We, on our
part, made it clear to them that the governor was not
coming from any desire to conquer, and that if they agreed
to his three demands, they would have as much liberty
left them as they had previously enjoyed.

To the question why the governor would not even see
Owusu Kokoo, we replied by referring them to the part he
had played only a short time before in Cape Coast. But
strangely enough it now dawned upon us that they had
anticipated so much from Owusu Kokoo's mission, because
he was armed with a wonderful mohammedan charm,
which with a mere shake of the hand was to have the
effect of causing the governor to go back. The king's
nephew was only considered so far as he was entrusted
with a most holy secret.

We parted, yet not without hope that we had made
some impression, for the trio pledged themselves to confer
at once with the king and his mother, and afterwards to

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272 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

summon a high council which we should attend, that we
might have an opportunity of speaking. We waited, how-
ever, in vain for a summons, and the contrary of what we
hoped for occurred. The chiefs indeed assembled, hut to
swear that they would unite in marching against the white
men in the field. Some started at once, others followed
the same night. No one was allowed to sleep in the town.

News came at the same time that the white men were
at the foot of the Kwisa mountain, and it was declared to
us by one of our Coast negroes, a fetish man from Krepe,
who was often in the palace, that the king thought of
delivering us on Monday the 19th. This man had the day
before been performing fetish, on which occasion he had
been tying a block of wood with a rope, to be pulled very
tight, while our names and those of the Fantees were
called out. In the midst of the operation the rope broke,
and the exorcist fell full length on the ground. It was
then acknowledged the affair was too much for the
Ashantees, and they had better let us go. *

On Sunday the 18th Mr. D. came to us somewhat de-
pressed ; having heard that the Ashantees in the neigh-
bourhood of Lake Bosomotsche had encountered the
Akems, hunted them like sheep, and either killed or taken
them prisoners. When he visited Bosommuru, and en-
quired the results of the council, he was answered abruptly
by the words, " it is too late." He again urged peace,
only saying not a moment was to be lost, upon which
the minister sulkily rejoined, " the governor will not let
anything prevent him now, he is having cannon tied to
the trees," &c., and Qoncluded by adding, " I have heard
it." So ended the interview. We then tried to gain access

* That the Ashantees have great faith in omens, this incident readily
proves; but we never heard anything in Coomassie itself about the
anecdote, which was handed round in the English papers, that the king
let a white goat fight with a black one in order .to see which would win.

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BROTHER KtJHNE SET AT LIBERTY. 273

to Boakje Tenteng, the husband of the queen mother, but
did not find him at home.

The whole of Monday (19th) we spent at the building,
hoping to finish one gaUery before we left, and I instructed
Joseph how to proceed without us. Whilst thus employed,
a messenger came from Boakje Tenteng to call us. We
went, but failed to find him ; and heard from good autho-
rity that he and Ewantabisa would be the two last to
consent to our being set at liberty. Owusu Kokoo then
told Mr. D. that two days before it had been fully arranged
that he was to accompany all the Europeans and Fantees
to the Coast. The council had agreed with all delibera-
tion, when suddenly the boundary guard, Obeng, sent a
message to say — Ae would fire upon the enemy — that if
the people in Coomassie had no powder, he at least had
some. This stroke wounded their pride to such a de-
gree, that they started, and swore as we have related
above.

The next day (20th) another messenger from Obeng an-
nounced that the white men were in Fomana, and Kokofu
was already cleared of its inhabitants, for the enemy had
appeared in the distance. We felt this would touch the
king deeply, for Kokofu was the cradle of his dynasty, and
regarded as a holy town by the whole nation. Boakje
Tenteng danced all the night and morning in the streets,
which signified that he was going to the field.

The heavy storm that had been gathering over the devoted
land was now about to buret in its fury, and our doubts were
great as to whether it would be a crushing storm or a
quickening rain, for us as well as for Ashantee. The
people in Coomassie itself were getting almost furious.
One came into our yard and said to Mrs. Plange, " she need
not be at all anxious, but quietly resign herself to her
fate ! Ashantee would never crawl to the cross, nor give
up the prisoners, but rather fight and die with them."

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274 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

Many seemed to think the same. The sight of my dear
wife and children was ahnost overpowering; but I re-
membered the Lord was our Shepherd^ and we should
not want.

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TEE RELEASE OF TEE REST. 275

CHAPTER XXX.

THE RELEASE OF THE REST.

Cape Coast, February 3rcL
It is a dream no longer ! It is a glad reality ! We are
free ! HaUelujah I Yes, our faithful God can still work
miracles; our whole career throughout these years had
been one succession of miracles. We are in Cape Coast.
The place we have often longed for in our best dreams ;
before us the wide ocean, the sounding of whose tide
seems, day and night, to echo in our ears the words of
that sweet music which fills our hearts, " free, free, and
once again free." Yesterday morning at 10 o^clock, was
the hour so long wished for when we were permitted once
more to walk through the streets of Cape Coast ! As we
saw the fall of Ashantee approaching with gigantic strides,
we had often asked ourselves, " will the Lord allow U8 to
perish with it, or will He save us at the last moment ?"

On Wednesday, January the 21st, Mr. Dawson wrote us
that he had decided to " eat nothing " until he had seen
the queen mother and her husband, which signified that
he would force Boakje to listen to him, for the Ashantees
know a man is in earnest if he refuse to eat. This resolution
took effect, and he soon came to relate to us the result of
his conversation with this personage, who had received
him kindly, and wished us to place our petition unitedly
before himself and his wife ; he even whispered to D.
that we should start that same evening — an assurance
which had so often been made that we could scarcely
believe it now.

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276 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

After eight o'clock, Boakje sent for Dawson and
ourselves ; we found him in a secluded court, and beside
him an old lady, whom he introduced as the sister of
the queen mother, who was sent to represent her, she
being unable to come out. When every attendant had
retired, Mr. Dawson thus began :

" Before everything else we enti*eat the favour of the
queen mother, and beg her to listen to the serious words
which we are about to speak, and to make intercession
to the king for us."

It is one of the redeeming features of Ashantee custom,
that when anyone seeks for protection, or intercession
from a high chief, the latter is bound to use all his
influence for the petitioner.

Mr. D. continued : — " as we appear before you to-
day, to plead for the welfare of Ashantee, we are not
moved to make our requests from fear, but because,
as missionaries, we wish, as far as lies in our power, to
prevent the shedding of blood. We love Ashantee, and
therefore wish to impress on her her present position.
There is yet a moment left to try to save her, but if she
will not listen, she must soon face her ruin. One step is
necessary to prove her sincerity to the governor — all the
prisoners must be set at liberty. Perhaps the king does
not believe the governor, but we can assure him that the
white men do not lie, and that if he yield, and send away
the captives, we will make intercession with the governor
for the king. If the king obey, the general will keep
his word."

Dawson further declared that "vexation and mistrust
on the part of the colonial government was justifiable ;
it had entreated long, and waited patiently for, the
release of the prisoners, till it finally saw the Protectorate
suddenly invaded,

"Ashantee should reflect on her situation; not alone

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THE RELEASE OF THE REST. 277

from the Prah would the enemy approach, she would be
attacked on all sides. We are now before you for the
last time," concluded D., "and beg the queen mother to
intercede with the king, that he may let us and the other
prisoners leave. We, on our part, solemnly engage to do
our best to avert further calamities.'*

Boakje and his sister-in-law promised to prefer our re-
quest at once, and at nine o'clock we were called into the
palace, but had to wait until eleven o'clock. Summoned
at lejigth to enter, we found the king, looking very de-
pressed, in the fourth court, on a broad verandah sur-
rounded by fifteen chiefs; and his mother beside him.

Mr. D. had to repeat what had been already said, which
he did, though with some degree of nervousness. The
king at once exclaimed : " Yes, but where are tiie £1000
ransom ? " For such a question we were not prepared,
and knew not at the moment how to answer it. Mr.
Dawson begged him to consider our words ; nothing hav-
ing been said in the governor's letter about the £1000.
I then ventured to add : " The great concern now is that
peace be secured ; if this is done money matters will be
satisfactorily settled." " £1000 has been promised me,"
rejoined he, " before this is paid I cannot let you go."
Hereupon we repeated why we had begged for our freedom,
not in the first instance on our own account, but because
the thought of Ashantee's ruin was so painful to us, and
we longed to save further bloodshed. " We promise, and
if you wish, we will swear that the governor will keep his
word if you will send us all : that is what he asks from
you."

Dark and depressed the king turned to his councillors,
spoke half aloud to his mother, and then called out,
" Who will go ? Whom shall I send to the governor ? "
Then (receiving no answer), as though, he would act the
man and hide his fear, he continued, turning to me, " You

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278 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

Susse, you go." I shuddered at the thought — " Leave my
wife and children here?" I asked. "Yes, you go and
come back." This was like cold water on our hopes ; we
all protested " nothing would be gained by this, as the
governor intended to have all the prisoners ; " in short I
said at last, " / will not go aloney Dawson then added
that " he would remain in Coomassie with his people as a
hostage." M. Bonnat advanced, and offered, in case the
king felt any mistrust, " to come back himself, so assured
was he that the general would keep his word." The king
was silent, gazed vacantly before him, then suddenly
turned and said, "Go, go, and tell my good jfriend the
governor that I did not march against him. Amankwa
Tia attacked the fort contrary to my commands, I have
nothing against the white men, go and speak a good word
with the governor."

Hardly believing our ears, we advanced and thanked
the king and his council, as those whose lives had been
given them. Still we were afraid to trust, for although
the king ordered two men to accompany us, they were
quite common persons ; if the order were meant in earnest,
why should not Owusu Kokoo, or at least some under
chief attend us ? " Besides," we asked, " whom did the
king include in the command "go.*" Probably only the
white men, so D. again protested that the governor wanted
all the prisoners, Fantees, Akwapems, Akras; and alluded
at the same time to the remaining condition of peace —
the payment of 50,000 ounces of gold. This provoked the
king. " What," he angrily exclaimed, " Is it not enough
if I send you, am I to give up the Fantees too ? " His
mother was also greatly excited, but we could not under-
stand her, for the tumult grew prodigious, and as soon as
the king began to storm, everyone else sprang up swear-
ing and shouting v^ the wildest confusion.

The interpreters accused D. of wishing to deceive the

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THE RELEASE OF THE REST. 279

king, and abused him violently. He vainly tried to justify
liimself. The king continued, in a rage, " No one shall
be set free ; no, you shall all stay herer His words were
echoed on every side, and we were assured that every
one of us should be killed. We stood petrified, feeling
that words were no of use, the noise was so great.

At last, with some vexation, we sat down quietly in our
chairs, to wait until the storm should have abated. How
little did we dream that on that very evening we should
leave Coomassie ! Every hope of liberty seemed to have
vanished, for the nation rushed on blindly to face its
coming judgment, and what might be the result of a
defeat the Lord only knew. The king was still un-
softened, but at length when I stepped forward and
begged him to compose himself, he gradually became
calmer, and said, " Oh, I have nothing against you !" and
then gazed firmly before him, as if tortured by a heavy
weight, and engaged in a struggle with himself.

Suddenly he broke the silence, " No, you shall go, you
white men, and tell my good friend I did not make war
against him. I have no quarrel with him. As to the
£1000 tell him I will make him a present of it. I do not
wish that so small a sum should be the cause of differences
between us. Go, speak a good word, I have now done
what I can. If the governor will not wait, I must leave
the matter with God.**

Were these words credible ? Was no deception concealed
behind them. Thus we anxiously questioned ouii^lves, and
while offering formal thanks to the king, doubts rendered
the expression of our gratitude rather cold, and our suspi-
cions were not quelled by observing that two very common
messengers (a sword-bearer and a crier) were summoned to
accompany us. I repeatedly begged to have Owusu Kokoo
(who had accompanied Mr. Kiihne), but this was reftised.
We felt that very likely some plan had been formed to

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280 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

carry us from Coomassieto some hiding place in theintericr.
Certainly we hardly looked like people who had just ob-
tained their sentence of liberty, and yet such was the case.

The messengers now received their instructions. Mr.
Dawson was commissioned to go home, and prepare a
letter which was to be signed by the interpreter. Then
the king asked when we thought of starting. '* As soon
as possible after you have dismissed us, in fact to-day,"
was our answer. " Very well," he s&id, " get ready to
start this evening. You shall meet the general at Fo-
mana." We could scarcely believe the words ; fiill many
a misgiving cooled our little gleam of hope.

When we told the news on our arrival at home, my
wife could not beUeve the truth of it. Still we
began to pack. We had been ready to do so a week
before, for we did not know where we might be dragged
at any moment, and even now we were left to conjecture
whither we might be conveyed. The Fantees, Akras,
and Akwapems were much depressed, feeling that they
would henceforth be bereft of the slight protection our
presence afforded, though of course we promised that if
ever we did see the general, we should plead their cause.
Hope and fear alternated while the time passed, we
packed, planning meanwhile, and weighing the possi-
bilities which lay before us. Our comfort was in the
nearness of the Lord. Led by Him, we felt that we could
go through anything.

. About four o'clock a report reached us that Owusu
Kokoo was approaching with the presents, and people
entered our yard, bearing the king's parting salutation.
For Mr. B. and myself there were valuable native cos-
tumes, and thirty dollars. A silk dress for my wife, with
eighteen dollars, and nine dollars for Kosie. We not
only regarded it a pleasure to receive remembrances from
Coomassie, but these tokens also reassured us to the

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THE RELEASE OF THE REST. 281

effect that the king really meant to keep his word, and
we lifted up our hearts in thankful praise, although we
knew that a change of mind might yet occur. Owusu
Kokoo told us that his majesty would send for us again
before our departure. We begged him to allow us six-
teen Fantees as carriers. He promised to try, but
thought it would not be possible to obtain so many.

Evening drew in by the time we had done packing,
and we all sat round in the open court with the black
prisoners ; several of these expressing decided hopes that
our surrender might lead to a suspension of hostilities, and
restore liberty to all the other captives. Palm and his
wife (our nurse) alone remained deeply depressed.

It was past nine o'clock when the messenger appeared
who was to accompany us, and after another season of weary
waiting, we were led through eight courts of the palace
into a smaller one, where the king sat in his undress by
the fire, with two chiefs. His majesty looked troubled
and gloomy, as if our liberation had cost him a severe
struggle. On entering the court, we had put on the new
dresses ; remarking this, he looked down at us and said
gravely, "well Susse, so you know how to wear the
national dress." Feeling sorry to see him so miserable, M.
Bonnat and I again assured him that we would do every-
thing to bring about peace with the general ; the result
would shew whether we kept our word. He smiled and
dismissed us with th6 words " yes ; it is all right, go, and
do as you say."

While we were still in the yard, Owusu Kokoo told us
that we might have ten Fantees, but not Mrs. Palm,
as she must wait until her husband was set at liberty.
Thus the king had really given us up : We could not fully
believe it, however, until we fairly reached the English
camp. We now saw Mr. Dawson again, and took charge
of his letters and messages. I obtained one more bearer

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from Owusu after some trouble ; of course all the Fantees
wished to be included among our " eleven," but we were
obliged to give the preference to those sent to meet us a
year before, by prince Ansa, and these poor fellows heard
the decision, with loud cries of joy.

At length we were ready to start, and our farewells
were accomplished by about eleven o'clock, after which a
few friends accompanied us to the market-place, where we
went through a second parting, and then laid ourselves in
our hammocks. The whole thing seemed like a dream.
The night was peculiarly dark, only a few stars being
visible, and our road lay through a deep forest. We pro-
gressed but slowly, for the bearers had to feel their way,
creeping over numberless roots and stones, and once they
let me fall into the bush. However this mattered little,
for were we not travelling towards the liberty for which
we had longed all these years ?

In two hours we arrived at the village of Kaase, three
miles from the city, where we remained for the rest of
the night, not sleeping much however. Early next morn-
ing (January 22nd), we started, hoping to reach Akanka-
wase, a distance of from twenty to thirty miles. On our
way we met two chiefs with a small retinue, — Kwame
Agyapong, and the interpreter Apea, a cunning man who
had always opposed our freedom ; they now, however,
saluted us kindly. One of the royal messengers accom-
panying us had already disappeared, going as he said to
communicate the king's message to the chief of Mampong,
who was in camp near Kaase. This struck us as rather
strange.

At four o'clock in the afternoon we reached Amoaforo,
where a fierce battle was yet to take place (January 31st),
and here it transpired that we could go no further ; so
we visited the chief, who " in consequence of our libera-
tion at the intercession of the Mampong chiefs and of

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the queen mother," had been officially ordered to board us.
The sword-bearer went out after whispering to the
chief that if the enemy approach he was to retire. The
chief now sent us some game and yams; he could not
give a sheep, for " Amankwa's army had devoured every-
thing." We were just sitting in the twilight at our
" fiifu," when our first messenger returned. He had really
visited the camp of Dsomo, the chief of Mampong, and
brought an interpreter back with him, whom the friendly
prince ofiered us as an escort. Little did I think that this
brave Dsomo would so soon meet his death in the battle-
field. I was glad that my presentiment of treachery was
unfounded ; still we knew that at any moment the king's
decisions might be altered, and thus we were glad when
the sword-bearer proposed an early move.

In the morning (January 23rd) I awoke my people be-
times, bidding them boil rice for the whole party, and add-
ing that we should not rest till we had reached the white
men, so no one was to buy anything on the road. All must
resolve to exert themselves to the utmost. When we
reached Akankawase, not a woman was to be seen ; this
showed us the near approach of the enemy, but the men
met us there as everywhere else, in a friendly spirit. Our
freedom seemed to lighten all hearts, for in their eyes we
were the only cause of the war.

Meanwhile we heard by Dawson's boy, that Obeng,
who had been obliged to flee from Fomana and was now
stationed near Adubiase, intended to meet us on the road
and bring us a parting salutation. A curious idea, this
seemed to us, for we certainly felt we had seen quite
enough of Obeng already. I walked the greater part of
the way in spite of my lameness, inciting, urging, and
hurrying the whole company ; encouraging everyone by
the prospect of freedom within two hours, my heart beat-
ing wildly all the time.

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284 mSSIONART LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

About half-past nine we reached the first deserted
village ; not a creature was to be seen. Four and a half
years before such empty dwellings spoke to us only of
imprisonment, want and misery, now they were signs
that the deliverer was at hand. After we had passed
several small villages, we suddenly came upon Dompoase,
scarcely three miles from the British army. But the
streets swarmed with black soldiers, and under the tree
in front of the chiefs house stood Obeng, with three
hundred and fifty warriors. Was he going to afford us
his protection to the border, or to attack the English
army, under cover of giving us up ? It was the last
anxious hour we were to spend in Ashantee.

After sitting a long time, we were obliged to go in pro-
cession to the proud man, who thirteen months previously
had plundered us. He was, however, studiously polite, as
were also his subordinates. Sitting under the shadow of a
tree we received their return greetings, a solemnity which
had never before seemed so dreadfully tedious, and then
appeared before Obeng once more with our escort, so that
he might be duly informed of the royal message to the
general. He appeared pleased, and together with all his
followers, begged that we would say a good word for
them, as the Ashantees had no quarrel with the white
men. Altogether, he said, war was a bad thing. " Look
at this village, it is quite deserted ; does it not make one's
heart ache?" I could but think it really served the
Ashantees right, after having burnt so many villages, to
be forced now to tremble for their own homes.

Half an hour had elapsed with these ceremonies, and
various messengers came up, all begging us to advise the
general to come to terms. We broke away at last, and
had gone some forty steps when we were again stopped,
as a further escort had been despatched to accompany
us to the general. We burned with impatience ; what

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did we want with fresh men ? But politeness on our
part was inevitable, for were we not still prisoners, and
likely to remain so for at least the next three-quarters of an
hour I So we waited patiently, tiir allowed to resume
our journey, wondering whether we were to be stopped
any more.* It seemed not, for we now lost sight of the
band of soldiers, and every step of the journey carried us
on to freedom; No one wished to linger; no one felt
fatigue. M. B. formed the vanguard, while I as rear-
guard hurried on the bearers, with promises of rest when
we should all be free. This inducement winged the steps
of all, as may be readily imagined. With rapid tread, and
yet noiselessly, like fugitives, we fled past the majestic
trees of the ancient forest.

Suddenly our procession halted. "What is it?" I asked.
" Here are your countrymen," was the glad response ! I ran
forward, and found standing beside M. Bonnat two hussars
and a young officer, whose weapons were two revolvers and
a carbine. He welcomed us with much emotion ; but I
cannot describe the feelings that overwhelmed us at this
moment ! We grasped his hands, as one can only grasp
the hand of a deliverer : when I tried to speak, my tongue
failed, and tears were all the thanks I could offer.

Our net was broken at last, and with the sense of free-
dom, the whole world was given back to us. Lieutenant
Hart sent word immediately to his superiors, and in
a few minutes Major Russell and other officers appeared,
greeting us cordially, wishing us every happiness, and
inviting us to their table.

But here we had to learn that we were ignorant of the
strictness of military discipline. K, before leaving Coo-
massie, we had hoped to do something for our Ashantee
guides, we now found ourselves unable to carry out these
intentions. The poor lads were not a little frightened on
being at once parted from us^ and conducted to a separate

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286 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

house, there to be guarded till they might be sent home.
We could not even visit them, and never saw them
again.

The officers conducted us through a number of outposts,
along a well lighted path, where hundreds of West AMcans
were at work felling trees, and levelling the ground.
Their joy was great; "welcome, sir," "good morning, sir,"
sounded on all sides, in the Tschi and Akra dialects. In
the superabundance of our joy, we thought we must shake
hands with all the Europeans who were employed ; but
this soon became impossible, for there were whole com-
panies of them. The major felt great pleasure in offering
us the first cup of welcome on free soil, for it seems that
for the last two days they had given up all hope of our
release. They were greatly astonished at our children,
and made themselves very merry with little Rosie. How
strange all the surroundings, in which we were so sud-
denly placed appeared to us. The whole thing was like
a vision of joy and wonder. We could hardly swallow
any of the plentiful food that was set before us, our hearts
were much too full.

After resting some hours with our kind friends, we
again started for the Mouse camp, to appear before Sir
Garnet Wolseley. Our way led through the never-to-be-
forgotten town of Fomana. From thence a beautiftil
road stretched to the Mouse mountain, past Kwisa;
hundreds being still at work on it, while others con-
structed bamboo huts. What a bustle, and what haste !
Carriers and loads of all kinds, cows and horses abounded
everywhere. Dawson's boy, who conducted brother
Kiihne, had on his return to Coomassie, broken out in
the cry, " Europe is come to Africa ! " This we now saw
confirmed, for how wonderftil was the appearance of so
many white faces in the old African forest.

But we soon began to feel very footsore, and before us

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rose the steep Adanse mountain, 1,600 feet in height. It
was no trifle for such tired wanderers to have to climb it,
yet the word " liberty" acted like a spell, even on the
bearers of my wife and children. Thus we reached the
summit (though not without some heavy sighs), and were
refreshed with a glass of wine and water, and even a cup
of tea was offered by friendly hands.

Here it seems the newspaper correspondents had set up
their own little camp, and their choice of residence was
not by any means a bad one ; for the Adanse mountain,
with its cool, fresh breezes and splendid view, is about the
most healthy spot in the whole of Ashantee. We would
willingly have conversed with the correspondents, but
Lieutenant Grant, who accompanied us, had impressed
upon us the generaFs orders not to answer any questions.
So we passed on, descended the southern side of the
mountain, which we found quite as steep as the other,
and at last reached the camp, with aching feet, about
half-past five o'clock. A battalion of English had
arrived in the morning, and formed an imposing sight,
while their military music sounded beautiftdly in our ears.

As soon as we had taken possession of our quarters
(which the staff-officers had cleared for us), we were
introduced to his excellency. Our first desire was to
giv6 thanks for our freedom ; for next to God, we cer-
tainly owed it to the English army. The general ex-
pressed his joy at having been the instrument of our
release, although this was not the primary aim of the
expedition. Sir Garnet gave us the honour of an in-
vitation to dine in the evening with his staff, and showed
us much kindness besides. The sympathy which all
those gentlemen seemed to feel in every circumstance
of our deliverance was most hearty, and the remembrance
of that evening will always be a happy one.

On the morning of the 24th, when his excellency had

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288 MISSIONARY LIFE IN A8HANTEE.

gone very early to Fomana, M. Bonnat and I followed him
in order to speak a word for the Fantees and others who
were still in Coomassie. We had another pleasant con-
versation with Sir Garnet, in which he asked me about
many things, and I commended the Fantees to his care.
Here I parted with our faithful fellow-sufferer, who had
begged to be allowed to remain with his excellency, while
I returned to Mouse alone, thenceto set out (January 25th)
on our journey to the Coast.

It was with a strange feeling that on the morning of
the 2nd February we entered Cape Coast, and had to run
the gauntlet, as it were, between men of all colours and
costumes, and receive the greetings and welcomes of an
ever increasing multitude. Far too many wanted to shake
hands, while little Rosie stared at the crowds with most
comical placidity, and seemed to think they had all gone
mad together.

We were kindly welcomed in the Wesleyan mission
house by Mr. and Mrs. Picot, and the missionary Lawerac,
and here again I embraced our dear Kiihne, who was over-
joyed to see us, as he had suffered much anxiety on our
account. After he had become composed, I found him
more cheerful than in Coomassie, but the physician
who attended him said that half of the right lung was
gone, which he attributed to the privations he had endured.
Captain Lees, the provisional administrator, received us
most obligingly, and communicated to u& a telegram just
received erf the battle at Bekwae and Amoaforo, and we
also had great pleasure in meeting old Mr. Freeman, the
founder of the Wesleyan mission in Coomassie.

That we made purchases of clothes, shoes, and other
necessaries of civilized life, it is not necessary for these
pages to relate, nor that warm-hearted ladies loaded us
with gifts, nor that we ventured out to sea and inspected
the magnificent hospital ship, one of the great fleet that

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lay at anchor here. The mail steamer arrived on the 6th,
and conveyed us to Christiansborg the next day, where
we stepped (still as if in a dream) into the midst of our
brethren and their people.

Thus were we rescued ! — ^not through a ransom, as Adu
Bofo had sworn, but by means of an army which the Lord
Himself had sent to deliver us.

And looking back on the chain of wonders through
which our lives were preserved, and we ourselves restored
to our friends, even the heathen natives expressed astonish-
ment, greeted us with deep emotion, and confessed that
they were now forced to beUeve in our Lord as a living,
almighty, and merciful God ; for on hearing of our capture,
they had all decided that prayer was useless, and we
should never return from Ashantee.

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290 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE JUDGMENT.

A FEW facts must yet be added to complete this narrative.
The British forces had hitherto been sufficient for the
defence of the coast towns only, and to keep back the
raids of such Ashantees as dared to come within reach of
their ships. The whole of the western Protectorate was
occupied by them, when on the 2nd October, 1873, Sir
Gramet Wolseley landed with his staff of twenty-nine
chosen officers at Cape Coast.

He first cleared the neighbourhood of Elmina of the
enemy's soldiers, which induced their general, Amankwa
Tia, to write a letter declaring he had not marched
against the British, but against the kings of Akem,
Abora, Denkjera, and Wasa. Sir Garnet replied to this
by ordering Kofi Kari to clear the Protectorate im-
mediately, and this order was carried out by the retreat
of the Ashantee army. The retiring troops were however
to be prevented approaching Abakrampa, the residence
of the Abora king, who had been chosen head of the
Fantee confederation, — which place was occupied and
successfully defended by a small British force against
the attack of several thousand Ashantees. On this occa-
sion Amankwa Tia's sedan chair fell into the hands of the
British, but he and his army managed safely to effect the
passage of the Prah.

The first British troops landed at the opening of the
year 1874. They were to undertake the " engineers and

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THE JUDGMENT. ^ 291

doctor's campaign," which Sir Qamet had planned, so that
the European troops might be released from duty in two
months. A road to the Prah was akeady made, and at
the chief stations the necessary shelter could be afforded.
The camp was fixed in Prasu, from thence the boundary
stream was to be crossed.

Two Ashantee ambassadors arrived at this place on
January 2nd, bringing letters and negotiations of peace
from Kofi Ejui. The general would not receive them,
but ordered that all the preparations for war should be
shown them, and a QatUng mitrailleuse was fired off,
which caused one of them to remark to his companion,
that now every hope of defence must disappear. His
comrade taunted him with cowardice, and threatened to
complain of him to the king, upon which he shot himself
in the night. He was buried, by his companion's wish,
on the Ashantee side of the river. The rest of the party
were dismissed by the general over the now completed
bridge (January 6th), whilst he insisted upon the con-
clusion of peace in the capital.

The Prah was then crossed by the troops, who marched
to Asiaman, and found on their route many corpses of
Ashantee soldiers, who seemed to have died of starvation.
Eiihne entered the camp at Asiaman on the 14th, and
remained there a week. On the 23rd the other white
captives arrived in Fomana and Mouse.

The Mouse mountain (1,500 feet in height) had already
been ascended on the 17th by Lord Gifford and his
Asen scouts, although a Fetish priest and several com-
panions came forward to meet him, with a warning to go
no further, as death stood in the way. But Gifford found
only a Fetish thread across his patii — ^near which lay a
mangled human sacrifice. A wooden gun and da^er
were placed by its side pointing backwards. Of course
the English were not deterred by this for a moment

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292 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASUANTEE.

Another reminder was sent to the king from Fomana
(January 25th), to the effect that he was to set all his
prisoners free (Mr. Dawson excepted), to send the half of
the 50,000 ounces of gold, and to give up as hostages
prince Mensa, the queen mother, and the heirs of the
princes of Dwaben, Kokofu, Mampong, and Bekwae ; upon
which the general would come himself to Coomassie with
a small escort, and there conclude peace. To give the
king time he promised to approach very slowly during
the following days. This promise, by the way, was an
easy one, because of the ever-recurring difficulty of pro-
curing necessary provisions, and a convenient halt could
be ma<}e in the healthy district of Fomana.

Here the general heard a wonderful story from M. Bonnat.
On the 6th of January the great Fetish tree in Coomassie
suddenly fell, and the king then sought to learn from the
priests what were the prospects of this war. Two men
being pierced through the cheek with knives, were bound
to trees in the wood and left to die. The priests declared
that if their death soon ensued, Ashantee would be
victorious. But the poor creatures lived long ; one five,
the other nine days !

Amankwa had stationed himself on the heights between
Bekwae and Amoaforo, about twenty-four miles south of
Coomassie, whilst a second army under the prince of
Adanse held the towns of Adobiase and Borborase. These
latter were taken on the 29th with little loss, and the
chief commander's umbrella was captured. The British
had not known tiU then how near they were to this
general, Asamoa Kwanta, an old man, who was considered
a great master in the art of war, in which he is said to
have instructed Amankwa Tia. It was still hoped that the
king might wish for peace ; and thus in each encounter
the English troops waited for the fire of the Ashantees
before commencing proceedings on their own account.

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THE JUDGMENT. 293

But though letters were received from his majesty pro-
fessing desire for peace, no guarantees accompanied them,
and Mr. Dawson, who had to write a few lines of thanks
for a present of gold from the general, added as date*
" 2 Cor. ii. 11." A significant warning !

By 8 A.M. on January 31st the British troops pushed
forward, discovering an ambuscade in the neighbourhood
of Amoaforo, where the native camp 'had in the previous
night been visited and explored by a scout, whose reward
was £20. It now became evident that the king had done
his utmost to raise an overwhelming force ; he succeeded
in engaging the English, and a sharp struggle took place
in this primeval forest. The British troops, amounting to
three thousand only (European and African combined),
were badly covered, and had to fight an invisible enemy,
numbering at least twenty thousand.

Happily the Ashantees were ill provided with bullets,
and obliged to make use of pieces of metal ; but it was
almost impossible to take aim at them, so that rockets and
small shell had to be resorted to. They kept up with much
spirit till the afternoon, when they fled before a bayonet
charge, and in the evening they again threatened the
English right wing and rear. Asamoa Kwanta seems to
have planned and commanded with much insight, yet he
lost the battle. Among the many slain were Amankwa
Tia, who feU on the left wing, and the brave and worthy
prince of Mampong on the right, whilst Apea lost his
life in the centre. The English only lost seven men at
the time, but over two hundred were carried off the field
wounded. They also buried more than a hundred Ashan-
tees after the majority had been taken away by their
country people.

On the following day the stately town of Bekwae was

* " Lest Satan should get advantage of as, for we are not ignorant of
his devices.'' ^

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294 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

stormed, Fomana being meanwlule attacked (Febraaiy
2nd) by the Ashantees under their " Moltke," and aknost
burnt down. The small English garrison could not
attempt more than to hold the custom house, hospital,
and the magazine. Sir Garnet, amidst constant fighting,
now advanced rapidly along the western road, from
Adjuman towards the Oda (Da) river, where a letter
fix)m the king reached him (written by Mr. Dawson),
begging that he would remain where he was, and promis-
ing that the demanded sum should certainly be paid. The
general again asked for hostages, and proceeded without
delay to throw a bridge over the Oda. On the morning
of February the 4th the king disputed the passage of the
river, and the struggle was maintained seven hours near
Odaso, Kari-Eari looking on, seated on a golden footstool
under his red umbrella. When defeat was certain, he
fled to his villa at Amanghyiaw

The British forces now pressed on without delay past
Akankawase and Eaase, and marched into Coomassie in
the evening amidst the sounding of bagpipes ; there were
only a thousand Europeans and four hundred black troops.
The inhabitants (many of them with arms in their hands)
gazed with great curiosity on the many white faces, but
displayed neither fear nor hatred in their own appearance.
The troops on their part entirely refrained from plunder,
but the mob of the town, with some Fantees and other
blacks, attacked the houses of princes and nobles, and
took various liberties.

The imprisoned FanteeSy and among them Mr. Dawson,
had been set free, but many were found still bound to
large trees, or in the stocks. They all withdrew, most
taking with them a suspicious amount of property. The
troops who had advanced so far, had again to retreat for
want of provisions, heavy rains having also set in. An
oflTer was made to the king (Felffuary 5th) to save his

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THE JUDGMENT. 295

palace on condition of his accepting the terms of peace ;
in the meanwhile, however, the Ashantees endeavoured
to remove from the town as much powder and as many
arms as possible.

In the night a dreadful storm occurred, which threat-
ened to make the rivers impassable ; the palace was there-
fore undermined (Feb. 6th), notice having been given to
the inhabitants, and the houses in Coomassie were fired ;
no great spoil came to light, but many curious things were
found in the stone palace, which were afterwards sold at
high prices in London.

The main army speedily retreated ; wading through the
rivers, up to the chin in water (the Da bridge being flooded
knee-deep), and reached the Prah without any great sacri-
fice of health. The fact of the Mausoleum of Bantama
("the Louvre and Tower of Ashantee'*) not being de-
stroyed, was complained of by many Englishmen as a
great mistake; but a delay of two days would have
endangered many valuable lives, and the burning of
Coomassie was suflScient to announce the fall of Ashantee
to the tribes of the gold coast. Everywhere the odour of
blood predominated over every other ; and no European
would have willingly encountered a longer stay in Coo-
massie than was absolutely necessary.

Meanwhile, Captain Sir John Glover, with a small
detachment, had entered Ashantee from the Volta. He
took the town of Obago (Agnago ?) January the 16th, just
in time to save the lives of forty slaves who were to fall at
a funeral festival When Dwaben, the second capital of
the kingdom, surrendered on February the 11th, Captain
Sartorius, sent by Sir John, and accompanied by twenty
mounted men, rode through the streets of burnt Coomassie
without finding a single sign of life in the whole town.
He was to inform the general that Glover was at a
distance of eight hours from him.

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296 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE,

All this forced Kofi Kari to yield, for the allegiance
of many among the minor princes began to totter.
He therefore (February 13th), sent an entreaty for peace to
Fomana, accompanied by a thousand ounces of the purest
gold, as first installment of the war costs. Peace was signed
on condition that he should pay fifty thousand ounces
more, and open, the way for free trade and communication
with the Coast, which was to be carried on by a road
fifteen feet broad, reaching from Cape Coast to the Prah.
He gave up his rights to five vassal states, and also pro-
mised that in order to prove his friendship for Queen
Victoria, he would strive to do away with the practice of
human sacrifices, with a view to the total abolition of a
custom so repugnant to all christian nations.

By a subsequent arrangement, the eastern boundary of
the Protectorate was extended to Keta, and thus the
river Volta ceased to be an apple of discord to the
surrounding tribes, while the importation of arms was
rendered increasingly difficult to the Ashantees.

When Sir Garnet WoLseley laid before the Geographi-
cal Society the' particulars of his short but successful
campaign (May 10th, 1874), he began by describing the
primeval forest, where he scarcely ever saw either the sun
or the enemy, although the latter certainly managed to
make himself uncomfortably felt.

Scarcely anything beyond a snail-hunt was possible,
and although this species of game reached a considerable
size, food of that sort was hardly agreeable to European
tastes. " When we landed in Cape Coast," says he, " the
name of England stood in poor reputation, but now I
believe it will be more than ever honoured, and it is
almost certain that the interior 6f Africa will thus open
itself to our explorers in an unexpected manner. A
further result of the war will be the abolition of human
sacrifices — a practice which forty years ago was as firmly

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THE JUDGMENT. 297

rooted at Cape Coast as in Ashantee. One of my military
doctors was billeted in the house of the head executioner"
(no doubt Agja Kese, aUuded to in the journal) "and
heard from, him that during last year from two to thr^e
thousand human beings had been slain." " We slay," said
he, in the tone of a butcher who speaks of his trade,
" somewhere about from five to ten a day, and on every
day of the week except Friday." It was a terrible sight,
that deep pit (Apetisini) fiUed with human corpses, in all
stages of decomposition.

The last reports from the Gold Coast announce that
the king has promised to do all in his power to abolish
human sacrifices, and that he had sent one of his sons to
the Coast to be educated there.

Respecting this son, whom the king even wished to
send to England for further instruction, a negotiation was
commenced with the Colonial government, inasmuch as
the latter wished to know first, whether the prince had
any prospect, of ascending the throne ; an embarrassing
question, for the aforesaid throne has lately become very-
tottering, as might well be expected under the circum-
stances. Ashantee owed much of its power to the close
alliance of the neighbouring kingdoms, Dwaben, Kokofu,
Bekwae, Mampong, and Adanse, whose princes paid
tribute in Coomassie, stationed soldiers there, and them-
selves assembled at aU the great festivities and important
meetings of the Ashantee council. Now, of course, there
is a loosening of all these connections, if indeed they are
not entirely broken up.

In February last the prince of Adanse, " the custom-
house officer" (Obeng), begged the British general to allow
him and his people to emigrate to the Protectorate, that
they might be able to appeal in future to Cape Coast
instead of to Coomassie, where one was never sure of his
head. He swore the great oath to unite and form one

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298 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASHANTEE.

nation with the Wasa people. Other tribes also sought
to place themselves under British protection, or aimed at
completely freeing themselves from the Ashantee yoke ;
the old jealousy on this subject especially showed itself
again at Dwaben.

The British administrator, captain Lees, went himself
to Coomassie in July, in order to effect an arrangement
of these affairs. He was received in the barely restored
town with manifestations of joy and respect. The king
and the queen mother coming to meet him, and everyone
dancing around him. No definite public information has
yet reached us as to the result of the negociations, but it
is said, that the king seemed willing to acknowledge
the independence of Dwaben. Lees refused to help the
king to subdue the revolted princes of Dwaben and
Bekwae, and even visited both of them, and was
welcomed with great cordiality. This was a tempting
example for the other tributaries, and Okwau, where it
may be remembered the prisoners were welcomed with
so much sympathy, has also expressed a wish to ally it-
self to the Protectorate; both Okwau and Dwaben has
requested the erection of a missionary station in their
towns, and David Asante finds people from these two
districts among the most attentive of his hearers at his
street preaching in Akem.

From the latest reports we learn that the queen mother,
who, had long striven against the deposition of her son,
had at last herself suggested a change of sovereign, so
that the kingdom might at least be preserved for the
dynasty, Adu Bofo appears to have rebelled against the
king ; thus it seems that the continuance of the kingdom
will only be possible under very limited and altered
circumstances.

Such a change as the abolition of the old national
custom of human sacrifices would be a difficult matter for

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THE JUDGMENT. 299

a popular and prosperous king ; for the humiKated Kofi
Eari-Eari it would be simply impossible. In any case, a
turning point has arrived in the history of the kingdom,
which augers happier prospects in the future, if the right
men are found ready to step into the gap, and to sow
seeds of Christian culture in the blood-stained soil of
Ashantee.

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APPENDIX.

APPENDIX I.

THE ADAK

Besides the week of seven days, which were apparently
appropriated to seven persons, and gave names to every
boy and girl, and which were also used by neighbouring
tribes in their various languages, the Tshies have twelve
months of thirty or thirty-two days, named according to
the seasons or the situation of the plantations, but these
are different in different places, and are not in general use.

More frequently time was reckoned by the Adae. This
feast fell on every fortieth or forty-second day. The
great Adae was always celebrated on a Sunday, the little
Adae on a Wednesday. According to a peculiar mode of
reckoning, the Adae began at different hours of the day.

This manner of dividing the time is also found in other
nations^ as in Malabar in India, where the doctors reckon
the "Mandalam" of forty days, divided into half and
quarter circles, as a method of measurement : —

18th December, 1869, Sunday, Great Adae.

11th January, 1870,
29th „
22nd February, „
12th March, „
5th April, „

Wednesday, Small
Sunday, Great
Wednesday, Small
Sunday, Great
Wednesday, Small

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S02

APPENDIX.

23rd April 1870,
26th „

4th June,
28th ,,
16th Julj,

9th Augoft,
27th „
20th September, ,,

8th October, „

1st Noyember, „
19th „ „

13th December, „
31it ,, ,,

Sond&j,

Wednesday,

Sund&j,

Wednesday,

Sunday,

Monday,

Sunday,

Monday,

Sunday,

Monday,

Sunday,

Monday,

Sunday,

Great Adae.

Small

Great

Small

Great

Small

Great

Small

Great

Small

Great

Small

Great

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APPENDIX.

303

APPENDIX II.

THE WEIGHTS OF GOLD IN ASHANTEK

The most extraordinary weights of gold may be compared
with English money as foUows : —

£ s.

1 p^sewa -

1 dama

1 kokoa (3 pesewa)

1 taku (4 pesewa)

1 sua

1 suru

1 asia

1 7

1 osua

1 ounce (i benna)

3 12

1 benna -

7 4

1 peredwane

8 2

►wing list contains further

names

i:—

l8oafa(isoa) -

6 taku

1 fiasof a (i fiaso)

ei „

1 domafa -

7 „

Iborowofa-

8 „

1 1 dollar (ackie)

1 agirakwefa

9 „

1 soansafa -

10 „

1 bodommofa -

11 „

1 soa - - -

12 „

Ifiaso

13 „

1 doma

14 „

1 borowo -

16 „

2 dollars

1 agirakwe-

16i „

1 soansa t

20 „

1 bodomme

22 ,,

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304

APPENDIX.

1 nnomann

24 taka, 3 dollars

Insano

1 dyoasnm

1 amamfisnra

,, 4 dollars

1 sum

,,£10 3

1 peresura -

,^ 5 dollars

99 5J „

1 asia

99 ^ 99

1 dyoa

» • 99

„ n »

1 nansua -

» ^ 99

1 sua

» ^ 99

1 asuanu -

loz. 2 acki (dollars)

1 asuasu -

„ 11 »

1 peredwane

„ 4 »

1 tesuanu -

„ 6 „

1 ntanu

,, 8 ,,

» 12 „

In Akem, an agiratschifa = 1 ackie or 1 dollar ; an agir-
atsche = 2 dollars ; a bodoma = 2| dollars ; a dyoa = 8
dollars. Doma, usano, and asia diflfer in the two countries ;
soa, sum, osua, benna, and peredwane are the same in
both.

An ounce of gold (£3 12 6d— £4) is divided by the
merchants on the Coast into 16 ackie ; 1 ackie = 1 Spanish
or American dollar, 4s 6d, — in England, 4s 2d.

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APPENDIX. 305

APPENDIX III.

THE GOVERNMENT OF ASHANTEE.

As it has been easy to perceive by the reading of these
pages, that the reins of the Ashantee government are not
exclusively in the hands of the king, nor does he possess
unlimited power, but shares it with a council which
includes, besides his majesty, his mother, the three first
chiefs of the kingdom, and a few nobles of Kumasi (Coo-
massie). This council is called " Asante Kotoko," or the
Ashantee porcupine, which means that like the animal of
that name, nobody dare touch them. The principal drum
in Coomassie has as its peculiar stram or motto, " Asante
Kotoko, wokum apem, apem reba," which means "if
thousands are killed, thousands are coming up again."

It is this Kotoko council which rules the entire king-
dom, and deals with the people, who must obey, whatever
their own wishes or inclinations may be, in the most
despotic way. In case of war the people have no voice,
and to enforce obedience they must be ever under the
consciousness that the king and his council are the arbi-
trators of their life or death. In important matters all
the other chiefs of the kingdom are called together to
discuss the case, but they are sure to vote in accordance
with the view of the council, for who would dai'o to
oppose the Kotoko ?

At the Yam festival, usually held in October, all the
chiefs of the kingdom meet at Coomassie, and have to
report the events of the year in the parts under their

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306 APPENDIX.

juiisdictioa The chiefs belonging to the household of
his majesty have in important matters no voice in courts
but they have nevertheless great influence, and lose no
opportunity of advising the king privately.

In court and in ordinary meetings the king takes his
place in his skilfully carved and gold ornamented chair on
a kind of platform at the bottom of the court, and over
him \b held his state umbrella (now in South Kensington
Museum), while around him stand some of his sword-
bearers and other satellites. On his right and left side
are the two state swords, and suspended from each \b a
large gold nugget. One of these is the war sword. K
the king has taken it in his hand, the war is decided.

On the platform near his majesty are seated his mother
and the nobles of Coomassie. A little lower down the
court, on his right, we find the linguists and some other
chiefs, surrounded by under chiefs and servants. On the
left are the chiefs belonging to the royal household. In
front of his majesty, placed so as to allow a free though
narrow passage, are the court criers in great numbers,
and lastly the executioners, whose business it is to praise
his majesty, ** to give him names," as they say, i.e,, to cry
out his titles, as for instance, ",ode tuo tia gyina mpreno
ano " — " with a little gun he is standing at the mouth of
the canons." " Pam^bo " — *' he sews stones together — he
tears and binds together again." ** Bore " (the name of a
venomous serpent) ''you are most beautiful but your bite
is deadly."

According to court etiquette, the speaker has to address
himself to the linguists, who place the case before the
king in more eloquent language.

K an accused person is brought before the court the
linguists have to discuss the case, to find him guilty, and
to pronounce the sentence, which, alas ! is too often a
sentence of death. The king can ratify the judgment or

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APPENDIX. 307

mitigate it, by changing it into a fine, or to the mutilation
of any prominent part of the face, but in some cases the
king is obliged to give way to the will of his chiefs.

The rank of the chiefs can be seen by the different
insignia or emblems of their dignity, which always follow
them. The three first dukes of the kingdom have large
silk umbrellas topped with gold, a large band of elephant
tusk blowers, and several drums. They are also allowed
to have sandals ornamented with silver and gold, like
those of the king. The duke or king of Dwaben has his
own keteband.

Chiefs of the second rank have silk umbrellas topped
with carved wood, and a very nicely carved arm-chair,
ornamented on each side with brass nails. They are
preceded by a party of about twelve boys, each of whom
carries an elephant*s tail; they have also horn-blowers
and drummers.

The dukes of the third rank have a Carved arm-chair,
and servants who carry elephants* tails, but their
umbrellas are made of cotton. The chiefs of the fourth
rank have the same, but in place of elephants' tails their
boys carry horse tails.

Those of the fifth rank have a large portly umbrella,
but their arm-chair is common and less ornamented.
All the principal captains have their special strains or
motoes for their horns and dyums. For instance, Aman-
kwatia*s drums say, " piridu, piridu" — go on, push forward.
Boakje Tenteng's dnuns say, " don kofo didi in atem ene
sen," or the donkos (negresses from the interior), insult
me for what? Bobie's horn has for a motto, "Bobie
annae o five agyaman agyaman ne nsam ade wo" — ^Bobie
keeps watch for the king, there is something in the king's
hand.

In the following lists we give the names of the dig-
nitaries and the more influential chiefs and captains of

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308 APPENDIX.

Coomassie and the kingdom of Asbantee. The Roman
numbers indicate their rank.

(Coffee) Kari-Kari the king.

Afera Osuwa Kobe, king's mother, Kw&koo Dooah's neioe.

THB THBKB DUKBS OF THB JUNGDOM.

L Taw Agyei, king or duke of Dwaben.

I. ? „ „ Bekwae.
L Djomo ,, yf Mampong

CHISrS OF PBOYINCES.

n. Chief of Kokoftu
n. „ Korausa.
n. „ Niiuta.
n. „ Abeasin.
III. Oben of Adanse (Fomana).

OHUBFS AND CAPTAINS OF COOMASSIB.

II. Barempa, brother of prince Ansa. "^

II. Adonten Boaten. { ,

n. Asamoa Kwanta. ( ^^« « counciUors.

II. Abenkwa Osei (commander of the army). /

II. Amankwa Tia (chief of Bantama). ) In absence of the king thej

II. Asafo Boakje. ) have charge over the town.

m. Karapa.

III. Agyapon.

III. Anyin.

III. Opoku (head of the linguists, minister
of foreign affairs).

III. Boakje Tenteng, linguist, husband of

the queen mother.
rV. Taw Nantshi, linguist.

IV. Apea. „
rV. Amoatin „

Besides these a good number of under captains.

kino's household.

II. Akjampong, the king's uncle, and chief over his household.
II. Adu Bofo, keeper of the keys, treasurer, eventual comniander

of the army.

Very influential men,
^so far as they are re-
presentatives for the
provinces. '

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APPENDIX. 309*

in. Kwasi Domfn> head of the Tasumankwa (priests of the

protectors and physician of the FetiBhes).
ni. Agya Kese, head of the executioners.
rV. Nlora Shene, brother of prince Ansa.
IV. Bobie^ „ „ (snperintendenb of police

and of the buildings.)
lY. Owosu Kwabena ^, yy (head of the king's ham-

mockmen.)
rV. 1 head of the court-criers.
lY. ? head of the eunuchs.
V. Kwami Mensa, king's brother (heir apparent).*

V. Bosommuru Tia. ) chamberlains and private counciUors.

V . Bosommuru Dwira. )

Y. Mensa. Kukua^ honorary king's soul.

Y. Saben.

Y. Onyame Dusei,-

And some other under captains.

In reference to the king it may be observed that during
the lifetime of his predecessor, Kwakoo Dooah, an ill
feeling had sprung up between him and the family of his
sister, which increased during the latter years of his
reign, and at length ripened into hatred. Kofi Kari
sometimes said that ^ his ascendancy to the throne of
Ashantee was like a dream to him. It is said that in
a moment of excitement, Kwakoo Dooah once sent to his
sister a silken band, with a message to the effect, that the
best thing she could do was to hang herself She
accepted the brotherly suggestion, and committed suicide.
Her son Opoku was then accused of aspiring to the
throne, and was sacrificed, with the honour due to his
rank, viz., by having his neck. broken with an elephant's
tusk. Afua Kobe, the mother of king Kofi Kari, is the
daughter of Kwakoo Dooah's sister, who committed *=
suicide. It is said that in his last days Kwakoo deeply
regretted his conduct towards her.

In reference to the chiefs, &c., of Coomassie, who have

* Present king.

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310 APPENDIX.

been so often alluded to in the journal, no further ex-
planation seems necessary. Of one, however, we may
make the statement which follows.

The old " ruler of the battles," Asamoa Kwanta, is not
mentioned in this list, although in reality he was the
commander of the whole Ashantee army, when the prince
of Mampong was not present. There are peculiar circum-
stances connected with this man, which the following facts,
drawn from Mr. Ramseyer's and prince Ansa's letters, will
elucidate.

In the year 1853 Asamoa Kwanta was commander-in-
chief during the campaign against the Coast ; but, having
succeeded in getting the heads of the Assin chiefe who
had provoked the anger of the king, he was recalled with
the army by king Kwakoo Dooah before it came to a
serious struggle. When this peace-loving monarch died,
in 1867, a dreadful emeute broke out in the palace, and a
nephew of the great marshal's was slain, prince Boakje
Asu being implicated in the murder.

Although custom in Ashantee permits a prince to take
the life of any subject on the death of his father, yet the
aged Asamoa Kwanta took arms, and with his chiefs
threatened to destroy Coomassie. This insurrection was
only quelled by the entreaties of Ansa's two brothers,
Owusu Sakiri and Owusu Intobu ; they soothed the old
man, who however would not be pacified till he had
slain the Audawous prince and two of his sisters ; he also
demanded the life of the mother of the criminal, but it
was ransomed with eighty ounces of gold.

After this the commander-in-chief kept aloof from, the
palace. The campaign to Krepe in 1869 was confided
to Adu Bofo, although his rank was far below that of
Asamoa. The prince of Bantama, Amankwa Tia, envied
Adu Bofo for the large number of slaves which he had
stolen and brought with him from the Coast; on this

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APPEFDIX. 311

account he intrigued against him, and with the help of
his followers succeeded in December 1872 in gaining the
command in the new campaign. This was against the
law, which confided to him and Asafo Boakje the defence
of Coomassie ; it also offended the troops, who despised
Amankwa as a dreadful drunkard. But now that he was
at the head of the army the chiefs of Mampong and
Asamoa were obliged to be content with an unrecognised
but influential position.

After the defeat of Amankwa and his retreat, in Jan-
uary 1874, the command of the army was taken from
him and given to the prince of Mampong, with co-ordinate
rank as first general to Asamoa Kwanta. He was an old
grey-headed man, but full of energy and intelligence, and
as far as we could judge, opposed to the war, for he
knew all the difficulties and risks it involved. He always
behaved kindly to us, and certainly had something to do
with our release ; he showed too in his last interview with
Mr. Dawson (January 17th), that he saw the state of
affairs more clearly than any one else. There are only
three chiefs superior to him in rank, the princes of Dwa-
ben, Bekwae and Mampong, also the near relations of the
king.

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312 APPENDIX.

APPENDIX IV.

A LEITER OF PRINCE ANSA.

It will not be regarded as an indiscretion if we give here
an extract from a letter of prince Ansa, dated June 21st,
1871, in order to explain the accusation brought against
him. It proves better than anything else the feelings of
the prince towards his countrymen ; it also expresses the
king's view of the Elmina acquisition ; and besides this
it gives an insight into the head and heart of a civilised
and christianised Ashantee.

On the 30th of May, the prince wrote to the prisoners
thus — "A very serious accusation has been brought
against me respecting the letter which I wrote to the
administrator by the king's order, with regard to the
right of the king to the town and fort of Elmina. The
people of Elmina accuse me of having added the following
sentence on my own responsibility : ' The king of Ashantee
says that the king of Holland is his subject/ The reason
why the Dutch governor sends that young man (the
commissioner Plange) is simply this, he wishes to make
sure whether the king commissioned me to write that
letter or not. The Ehniners and the Dutch dispute most
emphatically that the king has any rights in Elmina.
Now, if the king deny having authorised me to write
that letter, I shall hardly come up (to Coomassie). I
believe I showed you the copy of the letter which I have
now given to Mr. Crawford, in order to justify myself
before the king."

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APPENDIX. 313

On June the 21st, he writes again — " When I last wrote
I had not time to go into particulars about the accusation.
You know that shortly before you went from Ebenezer
to Coomassie,* the king authorised me to write to the
administrator, that Elmina and the Fort had belonged to
his ancestors for ages past, and that therefore they
belonged to him. If, then, the British Government took
possession of the Gold Coast, the town and fort were not
to be included, as they were his. The administrator of
course sent this letter to England, and the English govern-
ment communicated it to the Dutch Government. When
the Dutch heard that the king had sent his chief, Akjam-
pong, to Elmina, they were angry, and ordered the
governor to banish Akjampong; he was therefore ordered
to leave Elmina, but he refused to do so. The governor,
wishing to prove to him' that Elmina did not belong to
the Ashantee king, caused him to be shut up in the Fort.
Then the Elminers and Akjampong accused me of having
written that letter without the king's knowledge, and
especially that the sentence, that ' the king of Ashantee
regarded the king of Holland as his subject,' had been
added by me. I am sorry to say that my friends who
accompanied me as ambassadors (Afirifa, &c.), have taken
part against me, and supported Akjampong and the
Elminers. However, .the Dutch governor and the
administrator are on my side ; and what is more, the
Lord is for me.

" Now I expect to prove how far the king and his
council are conscientious, by their owning or denying that
I was fully authorised by them to write that letter. The
governor of Elmina has decided not to deliver the usual
yearly payment unless he apologises with regard to it.

*' I am waiting to see whether the king really will beg
pardon in order to receive that payment (four hundred
* November 24th, 1870, is the date of that foolish letter.

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314 APPENDIX.

dollars a year) and my dear brothers, my sense seems to
dictate to me that it is best I should stay here and await
the end of all this before I take any further steps. I
know my countrymen well enough to be sure that it is
advisable for me to be carefuL I assure you that if they
withdraw themselves from me in this affair, it will be
all the worse for them.

"You have the sympathy of all myiiiends, from the
governor to the trades-people, particularly Mr. Blankson,
Mr. Grant, Mr. Cleaver, and your brethren, thfe mis-
sionaries.

" But I prize most the sympathy of our Lord for His

people. (Isaiah xlix. 14-16, Ixiii 9). Wherefore take

courage, my brethren, do not despair, for

' Of every sorrow^ which our hearts can move.
Half is sap[>orted in God's heart of love.'

The Lord is with His own people ! Look alone to BQm,
and your release is certain !

"I have been privately informed that the Prussians
think of you with as much earnest anxiety as the British
felt for the poor prisoners in Abyssinia. A certain prince
Bismarck is particularly interested in you. The Lord is
working for you, and who can hinder Him ? O trust in
Him and you will be safe I I entreat poor Mrs. R. to
take courage, she has the deepest sympathy from every
one.

" I am sorry to tell you that Paris is in flames ; all is
dreadful there, the streets swimming in blood ; the whole
town with its splendid palaces is destroyed. France lies
in ruins, more from civil war and their own dissensions
than from the Prussians. I will try to send you a few
newspapers.

'' As some compensation for this sad news, I am pleased
to hear from Mr. Schrenk that your house in Anum is
not destroyed ; some of your teachers and pupils came

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APPENDIX. 315

from there to the war, and brought this news; your
people too assembled in safety. Joseph has not yet
shown' himself. I only hope he has not confided the
goods I sent by him to my country people. If you see
my cousin tell him he is not to trust any one ; if he do
so he» will lose my confidence for ever. Write to me all
news, particularly what you hear about me. I must con-
clude with sincere regards, in which my wife and all my
family unite. — I remain,

" Ever your sincere friend,

"Ansa.
"P.S. — The exchange of tlie Dutch possessions is not
yet completed. Some say it will take place ; others that
it will not We shall hear the truth by the next despatches
from England."

On August 1st 1871. — The prince again sent a letter
by Asengro's messenger (who had formerly shown kind-
ness to the prisoners), and he writes thus : —

" I ordered a piece of material to be given to Asengro
as a present from you, and introduced him to his excellency
the administrator (T. Salmon), to whom I related how
kind he had been to you when you stayed in his village.
In consequence of this his excellency presented him with
two pieces of material, and the provisions which he re-
quired. I am only sorry that my best friends are not
in the town just now, or he would go away laden with
presents, and all for your sakes. At any rate I will
certainly mention him to all my friends.

" I have written to Mr. Schrenk to tell him that I have
determined to take a journey to Coomassie, and that one
of your brethren was to go also. My wife thanks Mrs. R.
for her letter, and begs me to say, that when the time
comes, if she is in good health, she will be very glad to go
to Ck>omassie and make her acquaintance.

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316 APPENDIX.

The king had thought fit to recal the letter which had
been written by prince Ansa to Mr. Ussher as having
contained vague and clumsy expressions, and this recall
had been given in writing to Mr. Plange.* His Majesty
had never pardoned this young man for the injury which
he alleged had been done to him by the wording of this
letter. On May 6th, 1872, after twenty-three and a half
years of Dutch government, Elmina was formally made
over to Mr. Pope Hennessy, the Dutch governor, at the
same time handing to him the staff of office (ivory inlaid
with gold), which had passed through the hands of a hun-
dred successive plenipotentiaries, and now came into the
possession of the British. But before this time, in
December 1871, prince Ansa really made the promised
visit to Coomassie at great risk to himself, and without
obtaining the results he had hoped for.

From the case of this prince, who had become so much
of an Englishman in his ideas, it may be proved that it
is poasible for something good to come out of Ashantee ;
and we may be permitted to mention another Ashantee,
who through civilisation became more like a German.
He was thus designated by the German Oriental Company
more than twenty years ago. — "His royal highness
Aguarie Boachin prince of Ashantee, royal Dutch moun-

* The terms of the recall (Augost, 1871), were as follows : — " Herewith
it is announced, that the terms of letter of November 24th, 1870,
addressed to his ExceUenoy, H. T. Ussher, the administrator of the
British settlement on the Gold Coast, through me Coffee CalcaUi (Kofi
Kari), King of Ashantee in Coomassie, were entirely misrepresented by
thoqe persons employed in the writing and dictating thereof. I there-
fore declare, in the presence of your Excellency's ambassador, Mr.
Flange, Grovernmeot writer of St George in Elmina, and before my
chiefs, that I only meant board wages or salary, and not tribute by right
of arms on the part of the Dutch Government. " Of course, this declara-
tion did not in the least deter the king, a year later (March, 1873),
from claiming TClminA, Denkjera, Akem, and Asen, from the British
Government, and the people as his slaves.

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APPENDIX. 317

tain engineer, for service in Surubagu, East Indies." He
was the son of the reigning sovereign, and by his father's
wish was taken to Amsterdam at nine years of age,
and there educated. He became a convert to Chris-
tianity, and was baptized, so that his return to Coomassie
seemed impossible. He therefore went to Frieburg to
study mining ; and there becoming intimately acquainted
with many German families, he formed such an attach-
ment to that nation, that he sent from Java, where he
was residing, a contribution of one thousand florins for
the wounded during the last war, to the editor of the
Gartenlauhe (a German periodical). He was first director
of mines in Java, but has now a coffee plantation.

These two instances are sufficient to prove the kind of
material for civilsation which exists in Ashantee, even
in the palaces of Coomassie ; and they also show how
little those modem reports are to be depended on, which,
while they allow the negro to have as much common
sense and more cunning than the Caucassians, yet make
him out to be thoroughly heartless.

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318 APPENDIX.

APPENDIX V.

A WOKD ON THE POLITICS OF THE COLONIAL
GOVERNMENT IN THE YEAR 1872.

The captives feel in duty bound' to return sincere thanks
to all the officers of state, who have shown themselves in
any way interested in their welfare. They can well
understand the difficulty of men in their position passing
judgment on the actions and motives of the authorities,
Und they refrain from any expression of criticism on the
colonial politics of that period.

But the case is different with the English press. A
history of the campaign, which embodies all the events
recorded in the preceding pages (" From Cape Coast to
Coomassie," Illustrated London News), subjects the two
facts mentioned in the journal, to severe criticism.

"Mr. Pope Hennessy would not condescend to pay-
British government money for the ransom of the European
prisoners, but he was not above suggesting that the Mis-
sionary Society to which Mr. Ramseyer and Mr. Eiihne
belonged might perhaps be disposed to give £1000 on
this account. At the same time our governor actually
released a son of Adu Bofo who had been prisoner at
Cape Coast, and defrayed his travelling expenses home to
Coomassie. The king of Ashantee and his kidnapping
general had a mind to get the £1000 which the Basle
Mission, we are ashamed to say, had been invited by our
government to offer."

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APPENDIX. 319

The circumstances connected with this son (or nephew)
of Adu Bofo were as follows : —

After the invasion of Anum, the British colonial
government were perplexed about the steps to be taken.
The missionaries in Odumase meanwhile persuaded the
friendly king of Krobo to interpose on behalf of their
brethren who had been carried off. The latter sent three
successive messages by his brother to the camp of the
United Ashantees and Akwarmers, demanding that the
missionaries should be given up. But they were continu-
ally put off by excuses.

When however in October, 1869, Dompre had beaten
the Ashantee army, and the tribes in the eastern part of
the Protectorate were preparing for an armed attack, the
king of Akwarme became so frightened that he sent the
king of Krobo hostages who were to answer for the life
of the captive missionaries. Adu Bofo, realizing the diffi-
culty of his position, sent his son with these hostages,
hoping by this means to keep the people in Krobo from
rising.

King Kari-Kari was also impressed with the dangers
by which his general was surrounded, so that on Novem-
ber 2nd, 1869, he expressed to the Colonial government
his readiness to exchange the missionaries for the Ashan-
tee prisoners.

If therefore Mr. Ramseyer and Mr. Kuhne were as-
tonished, when in March 1871 an exchange of prisoners
had been made without themselves having been taken
into consideration, how much more were they surprised,
when in July, 1872, these hostages appeared in Coomassie,
set free without any equivalent ! This fact shows more
than anything the conciliatory disposition of the British
government.

The Ashantees themselves mistook this peaceful policy
for weakness, and it is therefore not surprising that

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320 APPENDIX.

Stanley (in his book, " Coomassie and Magdala") states
that the ambassador Plange wrote in October, 1872, from
Coomassie, " The chiefs here are in hope that in return
for the release of the prisoners, they will have the whole
Gold Coast."

The same conciliatory policy was followed in the
release of Akjampong. The above named work (" From
Cape Coast to Coomassie," Illustrated London News)^
relates this in the following manner : —

" Akjampong, with seven hundred followers, was arrested
in October, 1872, in ApoUonia, and brought to Cape Coast
to be set free in the course of a month or two, and sent
to Coomassie. This was done without taking into con-
sideration the ransom of the European captives, or the
fact that in Akjampong they were sending back to Kari-
Kari*s council the greatest intriguer and the chief of the
war officers, which just signified throwing a spark among
a heap of shavings. He came to Coomassie at the great
death festivities, and decided for 'war !' "

The missionaries' journals prove that the latter was
not the case. War was decided upon before Akjampong's
arrival in Coomassie. But thus much is clear from these
facts, that the British Government did not provoke the
last Ashantee war.

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